From left: Maggie Kim, Executive Director of Programming at Doha Film Institute (DFI), Fatma Romehi, Head of Out Reach Programme at DFI, Abdulaziz Al Khater, CEO of DFI, Chadi Zainddine, Resident Filmmaker and Programmer at DFI and Ludmila Cvikova, Head of International Programming at DFI during the press conference at Katara yesterday. Shaival Dalal
By Fazeena Saleem
DOHA: The power of Algerian cinema in projecting the country’s travails will get tribute from this year’s Doha Tribeca Film Festival (DTFF), while a special homage will be paid to Yash Chopra, the Indian filmmaker who died recently and holds the reputation as ‘King of Romance’.
“This year we pay a special tribute to Algerian cinema, as the country marks its 50th year of independence and a very special tribute to legendry Yash Chopra who passed away recently,” said Abdulaziz Al Khater, Chief Executive Officer, Doha Film Institute speaking at the 2012 Doha Tribeca Film Festival Annual press conference held yesterday at Katara-Cultural Village.
The eight day film festival commencing on November 17, will open with Mira Nair’s critically acclaimed The Reluctant Fundamentalist, in addition to showcasing an internationally diverse programme of over 50 films in different categories, 93 from 34 countries.
This year’s DTFF with varied offerings will provide audiences with an inspiring cultural experience with new screening venues as at Katara Cultural Village, Museum of Islamic Arts (MIA), and Souq Waqif.
‘Tribute to Algerian Cinema: Caught between Past and Present’ has lined up several events including screening of four films reflecting Algeria’s struggles in post colonial period.
Rome Rather Than You (Roma Wa La N’touma) directed by Tariq Teguia; Winds of the Aures (Le Vent des Aurès) by Mohammed Lakhdar-Hamina; Omar Gatlato by Merzak Allouache; and Nouba of the Women of Mont Chenoua (La Nouba des Femmes du Mont-Chenoua) by Assia Djeber will be screened at the eight day film festival.
The Battle of Algiers by the late Italian filmmaker Gillo Pontecorvo will be screened as part of the complimentary community screenings. DTFF will be also screening Algerian films in its competition section. The tribute will conclude with a live performance by renowned Algerian jazz musician Safy Boutella at the official awards ceremony on November 22. He will perform a special tribute to the nation. The tribute showcase has been organised with support from Agence Algérienne pour le Rayonnement Culturel.
The Algerian tribute will also showcase an Algerian film poster exhibition along with an Algerian short films presentation for one month commencing on November 15 at Katara.
With distinct themed segments, the film festival will focus on home grown talent this year with the largest showcase of 19 films in the ‘Made in Qatar’ segment. Contemporary world cinema, Arab feature films will too be special parts of this year’s DTFF.
Public participation will be central with the festival hosting an array of large community events, including Family Day, as well as panel discussions, networking events and educational filmmaking programmes including Doha Talks and Doha Projects.
The Peninsula
