Despite the challenges imposed by Covid-19 over the cinema industry during the past two years, the 43rd Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF), which runs until December 5, is witnessing a remarkable number of participating films either from the Arab region or abroad.
Over the past two years, film production in the world was affected by a general and partial closure following the outbreak of the pandemic, and this has been shown by the decline in the number of films produced as cinemas stopped for long periods in compliance with precautionary measures.
However, it seems now that the film industry is healing.
Of course it is still a challenge for CIFF to take place during the fifth wave of coronavirus, but the organisers are tightening precautionary measures for its visitors and guests. There is also a plan to vaccinate all attendees.
This year the festival is hosting world premieres for 35 films in their first global, regional or Arab screening.
About 100 movies from 60 countries will be screened at the venues of the festival like the Cairo Opera House Main theatre, Small Theatre, Fountain Theatre, Zamalek Theatre and other theatres. However, Arab movies are well represented during the festival sections, especially in the official competition section.
Three Arab movies are having their World Premiere during the official competition.
The Egyptian film Abu Saddam directed by Nadine Khan in the official competition. The film is about a lorry driver who is given a job on the North Coast Road, which is his swan song, but he becomes embroiled in a situation on the road that sends everything out of control.
Directed by Zaid Abu Hamdan from Jordan, The Daughters of Abd al-Rahman is set in a neighbourhood in Amman, where the single middle-aged Zainab lives a bleak life as a seamstress to support her father.
One day her father sees her trying on a wedding dress she is altering for her cousin. Zainab’s father goes missing.
Tunisian actor Dhafer Abdeen is making his debut as a director with Ghada (Tomorrow), which is also another competition entry.
The film is about Habib and his 15-year-old son from a previous marriage, who are brought together by Habib’s deteriorating health. His political activities during the dictatorship in Tunisia are dangerously affecting his present. The roles are reversed, Ahmed has to protect his father and try to keep him safe.
Habib and Ahmed find themselves in a chaotic position that neither is prepared for.
There is also a section for Horizon of Arab Cinema Competition which contains 11 films from Egypt, Tunisia, Iraq, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia KSA.
The Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF) is one of the oldest and most attended festivals in the Arab world and Africa.
It is the only festival in the Arab and African region to be accorded category ‘A’ status by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations in Paris (FIAPF).
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