The Arabian Nights segment at the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) comprises 18 films from around the world that reflect modern Arab life. The out-of-competition programme features during the 10th edition of the festival which takes place from 6 to 14 December 2013 in Dubai.
The Shebabs of Yarmouk follows the story of five young Palestinians living in the refugee camp of Yarmouk in Syria. French director Axel Salvatori-Sinz captures the friendships and victories born out of hardship in this intimate documentary.
A French-born son of an Algerian immigrant is sent home to Algeria, where his challenges parallel that of his father’s many years before. Filmmaker Mohamed Hamidi makes his debut with feature film Homeland starring comedian Jamel Debbouze and newcomer Tewfik Jallab.
Spanish director Jose A. Ayalon presents Slimane, a documentary that follows the lives of struggling young Arab actors trying to establish a life and career for themselves in Spain.
“Docu-fiction’ film 1001 Apples tells the compelling story of a man who survived the Anfal genocide massacres of 1988 in Kurdistan. Years after escaping to the US and spreading awareness of the violent destruction that took place, he returns with a handful of fellow survivors to distribute 1001 red apples to bereaved families. The film was directed by the late Taha Karimi.
A tale of crime and punishment unravels in Corsican director Thierry de Peretti’s film, Apaches. Unexpected consequences and hidden power structures are exposed against the backdrop of tourism fuelled Corsica when a young Arab man finds himself on the wrong side of the mafia.
Traitors, directed by actor Sean Gullette (Pi, Requiem for a Dream) follows lead punk singer Malika as she embarks on a dangerous adventure to save her family from being evicted, the night before she is due to shoot a music video.
Al Inthitar follows the everyday struggles that a young widow and her child face staying in a refugee camp near the Syrian border in the Jordanian desert. Directed by Mario Rizzi and produced by the Sharjah Art Foundation, the film is the first in a trilogy of documentaries.
Visit http://www.dubaifilmfest.com/en/industry for more information on the DIFF.
