Global Arab Network | Syria: 46 countries participate in Damascus International Film Festival

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Syria: 46 countries participate in Damascus International Film Festival

Global Arab Network - - George Haddad

Monday, 08 November 2010 08:31

Syria (Damascus) - The 18th Damascus International Film Festival kicked off on Sunday, with the participation of 46 Arab and foreign countries. 160 Arab and world cinematic figures attended the opening ceremony.

In his inaugural address at the Festival, Minister of Culture Riyad Ismat said cinema is not an art of dialogue as is the case with theater and TV, but rather a story in photos that a lot of words can be dispensed with.

"Successful cinema requires fascinating stories and enchanting dramatic dimensions, as well as characters with which the viewer can identify,'' the minister added.

''The festival's mission is not marketing films produced by the organizing country or encouraging domestic cinematic production only…It is a platform for elevating the values of good, justice and beauty for communication among the peoples,'' Director of the General Cinema Establishment Mohamad al-Ahmad said.

The Turkish film 'honey', directed by Samih Kaplanoglu who won the Golden Bear Award in Berlin Film Festival, was screened.

The Syrian Enana Dance Group performed several dance shows taken from prominent international and Syrian films.

The opening ceremony was attended by Presidential Political and Media Advisor Dr. Bouthaina Shaaban, Minister of Tourism Saadallah Agha al-Qalaa, Minister of Information Mohsen Bilal, Minister of Local Administration Tamer al-Hija, number of Arab and foreign diplomats, official of National Progressive Front and many artists in addition to a large crowd of the seventh-Art-lovers.

The seven-day festival includes 14 cinematographic events, 24 of which will enter the official competition, in addition to 92 short films, with the participation of more than 160 actors, directors and producers from 46 Arab and foreign countries.

The feature film competition includes 24 films by Vladimir Menshov (Russia), Anamaria Bonaiuto (Italy), Anamaria Marinca (Romania), Helma Sanders-Brahams (Germany), Jacques Fieschi (France), Kerem Ayan (Turkey), Moufida Tlatli (Tunisia), Najdat Anzour (Syria), Nicole Guillemet (USA), Sandra Nashaat (Egypt), Ward El Khal (Lebanon) and Mahmoud Abdelwahed (Syria).

The short film competition includes 92 films by Raymon Butros (Syria), Alice Kharoubi (France), Marzia Tedeschi (Italy), Olivier Gicart (Belgium) and Pernille Munk Skydsgaard (Denmark).
(SANA)

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