Film screenings at Summer Camp at Warehouse 421
I've been commissioned by Warehouse421 to screen three films in Abu Dhabi for its Summer Camp program, in dialogue with the National Pavilion of the UAE's exhibition at the current Venice Biennale "Rock, Paper, Scissors: Positions in Play".
In an interview with The National about this film series, I explained my selection of documentaries about music and play because it is "linked to the theme of 'play', featuring stories of how people use music or sports to assert themselves and to make a mark in their societies".
If in or near Abu Dhabi, please join. I will be there to present each film. Entry is free.
Saturday, 22 July at 8pm
BEATS OF THE ANTONOV
Directed by: Hajooj Kuka | 2014 | Sudan | PG | 68 mins
A documentary about the people of the Blue Nile and Nuba Mountains in Sudan and their use of traditional music as a means of dealing with the trauma of the longest-running civil war on the African continent.
Saturday, 29 July at 8pm
SPEED SISTERS
Directed by: Amber Fares | 2015 | Palestine, USA | PG | 80 mins
The Speed Sisters are the first all-woman race car driving team in the Middle East. Grabbing headlines and turning heads at improvised tracks across the West Bank, these five women have sped their way into the heart of the gritty, male-dominated Palestinian street car-racing scene. Weaving together their lives on and off the track, Speed Sisters takes you on a surprising journey into the drive to go further and faster than anyone thought you could.
Saturday, 5 Aug at 8pm
LES PETITS CHATS
Directed By: Sherif Nakhla | 2015 | Egypt | PG | 80 Mins
The film is named after the legendary band Les Petits Chats of the cherished era of the 60's and 70's. The six members, who are now major celebrities and musicians, are reunited to perform one last time in a night to remember in spring 2010.
Les Petits Chats film provides an insight into the lives of the former bandmates during their glory days and answers the questions evoked within each one of them by tracing their present lives and life choices since their breakup in the 80's. The film showcases interviews with major celebrities and cinema stars at that time and nowadays including: Ezzat Abu Ouf, Omar Khairat, Sobhi Bedair, Samir Sabri and Mohamed Salmawy.