cinema arabe 2011

Cinéma Arabe 2011 is launched amidst revolutions and uprisings throughout the Arab world. Consequently, this fourth edition of the festival is more dynamic and topical than ever.

In one Arab country after another, people are taking to the streets demanding the fall of the authoritarian regimes that have, over the past decades, almost brought cultural, social and economic developments to a halt. People are no longer prepared to accept the status quo and what has until now been a seething underground movement is at last exploding to the surface. The programme of Cinéma Arabe focusses extensively on issues that have led up to these events and, in many ways, herald the revolutions we are now witnessing.

This year, Egyptian cinema is strongly represented. Films as Cairo Exit, Microphone, 6 7 8 and Egyptian Maidens show how a new generation of filmmakers illustrates issues that have been difficult to address. Filmmakers and producers seem to have lost their fear of the iron grip of censorship that has until now reigned supreme in this police state. Cairo Exit is a great example of this new strength and defiance: the film was made without permission and has consequently been banned in Egypt.

Further to the screenings of cutting-edge films and documentaries, Cinéma Arabe will hold two debates, entitled “Family Matters” and “Arab Spring”. The icing on the cake will be concerts by the Egyptian band Massar Egbari, who feature in the film Microphone.  They played an important role during the revolution in Alexandria and have been invited especially to perform for us at the festival in Amsterdam and Utrecht. It is with great pleasure that I invite you to enjoy their beautiful music at the festive conclusion of Cinéma Arabe in Amsterdam.