DOHA: Doha Film Institute (DFI) together with the 18th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP18) brings to Doha audiences a series of films that shine a spotlight on the wonders of nature and people’s impact on them.
Presented by COP18/CMP8, DFI Green Screen focuses on some of the mysteries of nature and how people can help solve the world’s most pressing environmental issues.
Screenings are free to the public, with limited seating on a first-come first-served basis, and will take place at the open-air Green Screen at the Katara Esplanade nightly from tonight until Saturday.
Five documentary films will be screened including Olafur Eliasson: Space is Process from Denmark, Academy Award nominees The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom and Winged Migration, Toronto International Film Festival winner The Island President and Home from France.
Olafur Eliasson: Space is Process (Nov 28/8.30pm) by Danish-Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson spans four eventful years in the life of the artist, who is renowned for works that feature elements from nature. The camera follows the construction of his monumental installation ‘The New York City Waterfalls’ on the East River, and the mounting of a major retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art and MoMA PS1.
The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom directed by Lucy Walker tells of the survivors in the areas hardest hit by the recent tsunami in Japan. It will be shown after the screening of Olafur Eliasson.
The Island President (Nov 29/8.30pm) traces the story of President Mohamed Nasheed of the Maldives. After bringing democracy to the Maldives after 30 years of despotic rule, Nasheed is now faced with an even greater challenge: as one of the most low-lying countries in the world, a rise of three feet in sea level would submerge the 1,200 islands of the Maldives.
Home (Nov 30/6.30pm-Arabic/9pm-English), directed by Yann-Arthus Bertrand, is the first film ever made using aerial-only footage portraying a compelling portrait of our planet from a truly unique perspective.
Winged Migration (Dec 1/8.30pm) by director Jacques Perrin tracks the migration of several species of birds as they make their annual gruelling trek from their summer homes in northern and southern climes to winter nearer the Equator.
The Peninsula
