Middle East: What Cinema Can Do will present its 5th edition at its traditional location in Paris, the cinema theatre Les 3 Luxembourg, from November 30 - December 13, 2011.
In 2003, this biennial event lasted one week; in 2011, it has been extended to a two-week festival, marked by a keynote film and debate each night exploring conflicts and the daily life in the Middle Eastern region. Dominique Vidal, journalist at Le Monde Diplomatique and author, has orchestrated these evenings.
During the 14 days, a new theme will be presented each day, whether a focus on a country such as Iraq and Kurdistan, Lebanon and Syria, Iran, Israel, Palestine, or a topic such as the Arab Spring, Women, Strangers in their own land, etc.
Leila Shahid, General Delegate of Palestine to the European Union and faithful supporter of our festival, will once again open Middle East: What Cinema Can Do. Joining her for the discussions is Yael Ben Yefet, member of the Tel Aviv Municipal Council and political activist for the Tent Protest Movement.
One of the highlights of these 14 days will be a tribute to the youngest of them all at a mere 94, and always present at all of our editions, Stéphane Hessel is the focus of two films paying tribute to his life's work.
A final homage is being paid closing night to the late Juliano Mer-Khamis, assassinated last April in front of the Freedom Theatre he founded. Several of his students will be present under the tutelage of Israeli activist film director - and close friend of Juliano, Udi Aloni who has stepped in to keep the theatre productions rolling.
The success in bringing together a varied, activist, regular or just curious crowd to see films and be part of the daily conferences has contributed to the growing importance of this Parisian festival. It has also addressed the growing need to confront and discuss these issues on a regular basis. And that is why we have changed the name of the event to the affirmative What Cinema Can Do rather than ask the question What Can Cinema Do?
Item posted : 20/01/2012
Final Note: The Year of Hope
A two week event, a debate every night with prominent speakers, more than 60 films on the program, twenty filmmakers present, an eager and curious audience, at our usual venue in Paris: The fortnight was a success.
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Item posted : 06-11-2011
Opening Night
Our honoured guest of the evening, Leila Shahid, General Delegate of Palestine to the EU, will be joined for the debates by Yael Ben Yefet, an activist in the Tel Aviv Tent Protest Movement. The Judeo-Muslim-Morrocan filmmaker Nabil Ayouch will be present with his documentary feature, My Land.
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Item posted : 05/11/2011
The Debates
Once again, the festival has invited well-known personalities to participate in the debates, such as Michel Warschawski, Yves Aubin de la Messuzière, Hervé de Charrette, Elias Sambar and more.
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Item posted : 04-11-2011
Closing Night Tribute to Juliano
What Cinema Can Do will end its fortnight with a tribute to Juliano Mer-Khamis, brutally murdered outside the Jenin Theatre this year. Highlights: several shorts by his students and a work in progress under the tutelage of Udi Aloni, While Waiting, as well as a 2008 film by Juliano entitled Me and My Father.
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Item posted : 03/11/2011
A Theme by Theme Overview
As the years go by, the conflict in the Arab regions changes; the awareness and involvement of the young people who have nothing to lose has exploded. Because of all these movements, it seemed important to us that this year's presentation of the event should be viewed according to themes and not just country by country.
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