Films

Index / Activities / Films / Contemporary Arab Women Directors III

Contemporary Arab Women Directors III

For the third year in a row, Casa Árabe has organized a film series devoted to Arab women filmmakers, with the cooperation of the “Cinema by Women” Film Festival. As of October 29 in Madrid and Cordoba. 

This time around, the schedule of films to be hosted by Casa Árabe is also intended to highlight a very important facet of the Arab film industry: the work done by film distributors. The selection of titles being shown was made in collaboration with MAD Distribution, a platform founded in 2013 to do business in film and TV distribution niches currently unserved in the Arabic-speaking world. The company is addressing an urgent market problem faced by the growing number of award-winning independent Arab and international filmmakers, whose films must surmount major challenges in order to be shown at movie theaters outside of the film festival circuit, where they have earned accolades and garnered numerous awards.
Contemporary Arab Women Directors III
  • Film: "Trapped"

    Film: "Trapped"

    October 29, 20217:30 p.m.
    MADRID
    Casa Árabe Auditorium (at Calle Alcalá, 62). 7:30 p.m. 5 euros: general tickets at the box office. 4 euros: Tickets purchased online, the officially unemployed, Casa Árabe Language Center students and Youth Card holders, by showing the proper documentation. You may only receive one discount. Sales in advance
    Films shown in the original language version with subtitles in Spanish.
    On October 29, we will be holding the first screening in the film series that we have organized with the cooperation of the “Cinema by Women” Film Festival in Madrid. Malan Khaled directed this fictional feature film.
    Trapped, by Manal Khaled (2021 / Egypt / 77 minutes) Fiction

    Several women from different social backgrounds find themselves caught up in the events unfolding in Egypt’s streets and apartment buildings. This situation is not necessarily limited to physical confinement between concrete walls and behind closed doors, but is also the result of inner thoughts and conflicts. Though the women share similar dreams of freedom from social limitations and conditions, each fights her own battle.

    Cast: Coroline Khalil, Osama Abo El Ata, Reem Hegab, Sara’a Jebel.

    Awards and festivals: South by Southwest Festival, United States; Amman International Film Festival - Awal Film, Jordan; El Gouna Film Festival, Egypt; Karama Beirut Human Rights Film Festival, Beirut; Mostra de València -Cinema del Mediterrani, Spain; Décio Gonçalves - Cineaddicción.
  • Film: "Parkour" 

    November 05, 20217:30 p.m.
    MADRID
    Casa Árabe Auditorium (at Calle Alcalá, 62). 7:30 p.m. 5 euros: general tickets at the box office. 4 euros: Tickets purchased online, the officially unemployed, Casa Árabe Language Center students and Youth Card holders, by showing the proper documentation. You may only receive one discount. Sales in advance
    Films shown in the original language version with subtitles in Spanish.
    Fatma Zohra Zamoum directed this film, which we are screening as part of our collaboration with the “Cinema by Women” Film Festival on Friday, November 5 in Madrid.
    Parkour, by Fatma Zohra Zamoum (2019 / Algeria / 81 minutes) Fiction 
    Early one morning, a large group of people start heading towards a wedding hall: Youcef, a street vendor; Salima, a worker on the kitchen staff, and Sonia, a singer. They all have reasons to attend Kamila and Khaled’s wedding, but each is motivated by something different. The film gives a voice to the most invisible sectors of Algerian society today. Algerian parkour athlete Nazim Halladja made his acting debut in the film.

    Cast: Nazim Halladja, Adila Bendimered, Houda Hachemi, Nadjia Laaraf

    Awards and festivals: Best Screenplay and Jury Award at the Indian World Cinema Film Festival (IWFF), India; Best Experimental Film and Best Film Directed by a Woman at the Istanbul Film Awards (IFA), Turkey; Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), Canada; Rencontres Cinématographiques de Béjaia (RCB), Algeria; Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF), Egypt; IFA - Istanbul Film Awards, Turkey; New Zealand’s African Film Festival, New Zealand; The French-Arab Film Festival of Noisy-Le-Sec, France.
  • Film: "The Borrowed Dress"

    November 12, 20217:30 p.m.
    MADRID
    Casa Árabe Auditorium (at Calle Alcalá, 62). 7:30 p.m. 5 euros: general tickets at the box office. 4 euros: Tickets purchased online, the officially unemployed, Casa Árabe Language Center students and Youth Card holders, by showing the proper documentation. You may only receive one discount. Sales in advance
    Films shown in the original language version with subtitles in Spanish.
    On Friday, November 12, we will be screening this documentary directed by Leen Alfaisal, about three members of the same family fleeing from Syria. Tickets are now on sale.
    The Borrowed Dress, by Leen Alfaisal (2017 / UAE - Jordan - Lebanon - Syria / 54 minutes) Documentary
    Grandma Susu (80 years old), her daughter Doaa (50) and grandson Saad (16) are forced to flee Syria after the revolution breaks out, ending up scattered in different places with the only thing they have left: a shared longing to be reunited. Their personal stories and human experiences reflect two extremes in a tragic turn of events: on the one hand, a population that has spread all over the world and, on the other, a homeland which may have been changed forever.

    Cast: Siham Abu Nabbout, Doaa Al Zoabi, Saad Alkuwatly

    Awards and festivals: Special Jury Mention at the International Beirut Women’s Film Festival (BWFF), Lebanon; Best Documentary at the Silk Road International Film Festival (SRIFF), Ireland; World Cinema’s London International Filmmakers Festival, UK; Karama Beirut Human Rights Film Festival, Lebanon; Malmö Arab Film Festival, Sweden; Karama Human Rights Film Festival, Jordan; Rotterdam Arab Film Festival, The Netherlands.
  • Selection of short-subject films

    Selection of short-subject films

    November 19, 20217:30 p.m.
    MADRID
    Casa Árabe Auditorium (at Calle Alcalá, 62). 7:30 p.m. 5 euros: general tickets at the box office. 4 euros: Tickets purchased online, the officially unemployed, Casa Árabe Language Center students and Youth Card holders, by showing the proper documentation. You may only receive one discount. Sales in advance
    Films shown in the original language version with subtitles in Spanish.
    On Friday, November 19, we will be screening six short short-subject films films by Arab women filmmakers as part of our collaboration with the “Cinema by Women” Film Festival. Buy your ticket online now so you don’t miss any of them. 
    Selection of short-subject films (total running time: 108 minutes)

    Al-Sit, by Suzannah Mirghani (2020 / Sudan - Qatar / 20 minutes) 
    In a village where cotton is farmed in Sudan, 15-year-old Nafisa falls in love with Babiker, but her parents have arranged her marriage to Nadir, a young Sudanese businessman who lives abroad. Nafisa’s grandmother, Al-Sit, the powerful village matriarch, has her own plans for Nafisa’s future. But will Nafisa be able to choose for herself?
    Cast: Mihad Murtada, Rabeha Mohammed, Mohammed Magdi, Haram Basher
    Awards and festivals (selection): Best Director at the International Beirut Women’s Film Festival, Lebanon; Best Short-subject Film and President’s Award at the Zanzibar International Film Festival, Zanzibar; Clermont-Ferrand International Short-subject Film Festival, France.

    An Attempt, by Pamela Nassour (2021 / Lebanon / 18:26 minutes) 
    Like all Lebanese people, Alfred, a high school teacher, tries to adapt to the new socio-political situation brought about by that country’s October Revolution. Bombarded by the media, he ends up joining his students on the field to protest, in an attempt to change things.
    Cast: Josef Chemaly, Dima Merheb, Antonio Chedid, Diana Noujaim.

    Bint Werdan, by Maysaa Almumin (2020 / Kuwait - Qatar - Egypt / 14:01 minutes)
    A greatly discouraged woman struggles to keep up appearances in front of her cheerful, motivated co-workers at the office. An encounter with a dying cockroach in the office bathroom turns into an absurd friendship, becoming the comforting companionship she needs until realizing its destructive effects on her life.
    Cast: Enas El Fallal; Sedky Sakhr, Sandy Sawiris.
    Awards and festivals: Special Mention at the Cinefantasy International Film Festival, Brazil; Malmö Arab Film Festival, Official Section, Sweden.

    Athel, by Alyazia Bint Nahyan Al Nahyan (2020 / United Arab Emirates / 15 minutes).
    Salma, a well-known presenter, is filming a poetry show about the pre-Islamic poet Tarfa. A sandstorm interrupts filming of the episode and Salma’s son goes missing for days. Salma remains oddly calm: something very unreal is about to happen.
    Cast: Mansoor Alfeeli, Hala Shiha.
    Awards: Kolkata International Cult Film Festival; Gold Remi Award at the WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival, United States; Best Film Award at the Al Ain Film Festival, United Arab Emirates.

    Girl’s Mountain, by Sharine Atif (2018 / Egypt / 15 minutes)
    Going against the taboos of traditional Bedouin society, two bold and daring young women run away from home to escape forced marriages. They set off on a journey through the Sinai Desert, where they make a life-or-death decision that will change their future forever.
    Cast: Sara Somaya Abed, Jala Hesham, Fatma Kamal, Soliman El Jebaly
    Awards: Jury Special Mention Award-SHNIT Worldwide Short Film Festival, Egypt; Student Visionary Award-Tribeca Film Festival, United States; Best Film-AfriCajarc - Festival of African Cultures, France.

    Give up the Ghost, by Zain Duraie (2019 / Jordan - Sweden - Germany / 15 minutes)
    Salam’s dream of becoming a mother is shattered when she discovers she is unable to have children with her husband. A life of conviction and belief is put to the test when Salam realizes she must make a choice.
    Cast: Maria Zreik, Ziad Bakri, Nibal Al Awadi, Amin Safi
    Awards: El Gouna Star for Best Arab Short Film at the El Gouna Film Festival, Egypt; Special Mention at the Malmö Film Festival (MAFF), Sweden; Jury Award for Best Actress given to Maria Zreik at the Indian World Film Festival, India; Vimeo Staff Pick Award at the Palm Springs International ShortFest, USA.

  • Film: "Trapped"

    Film: "Trapped"

    November 26, 20217:30 p.m.
    MADRID
    Casa Árabe Auditorium (at Calle Alcalá, 62). 7:30 p.m. 5 euros: general tickets at the box office. 4 euros: Tickets purchased online, the officially unemployed, Casa Árabe Language Center students and Youth Card holders, by showing the proper documentation. You may only receive one discount. Sales in advance
    Films shown in the original language version with subtitles in Spanish.
    Last chance to watch this film directed by Malan Khaled in Madrid, as part of the cycle we are organising dedicated to contemporary Arab female directors. Tickets on sale online now.
    Trapped, by Manal Khaled (2021 / Egypt / 77 minutes) Fiction

    Several women from different social backgrounds find themselves caught up in the events unfolding in Egypt’s streets and apartment buildings. This situation is not necessarily limited to physical confinement between concrete walls and behind closed doors, but is also the result of inner thoughts and conflicts. Though the women share similar dreams of freedom from social limitations and conditions, each fights her own battle.

    Cast: Coroline Khalil, Osama Abo El Ata, Reem Hegab, Sara’a Jebel.

    Awards and festivals: South by Southwest Festival, United States; Amman International Film Festival - Awal Film, Jordan; El Gouna Film Festival, Egypt; Karama Beirut Human Rights Film Festival, Beirut; Mostra de València -Cinema del Mediterrani, Spain; Décio Gonçalves - Cineaddicción.
  • Selection of short-subject films

    Selection of short-subject films

    November 26, 20217:30 p.m.
    CORDOBA
    Casa Árabe Auditorium (at Calle Samuel de los Santos Gener, 9). 6:00 p.m. 4 euros for the general public at the headquarters. 7:30 p.m. 4 euros for the general public at the venue.
    4 euros: general public at the venue. 3 euros: online payments, officially unemployed persons, students of Casa Árabe's Language Centre and Youth Card holders. On sale on our website, or at Casa Árabe's headquarters in Cordoba (in cash or by credit card). Masks must be worn at all times.
    Films shown in the original language version with subtitles in Spanish.
    On Friday November 26th we offer the first session in Cordoba of the film series dedicated to contemporary Arab women directors, with this selection of short films. Tickets on sale online.
    Selection of short-subject films (total running time: 108 minutes)

    Al-Sit, by Suzannah Mirghani (2020 / Sudan - Qatar / 20 minutes) 
    In a village where cotton is farmed in Sudan, 15-year-old Nafisa falls in love with Babiker, but her parents have arranged her marriage to Nadir, a young Sudanese businessman who lives abroad. Nafisa’s grandmother, Al-Sit, the powerful village matriarch, has her own plans for Nafisa’s future. But will Nafisa be able to choose for herself?
    Cast: Mihad Murtada, Rabeha Mohammed, Mohammed Magdi, Haram Basher
    Awards and festivals (selection): Best Director at the International Beirut Women’s Film Festival, Lebanon; Best Short-subject Film and President’s Award at the Zanzibar International Film Festival, Zanzibar; Clermont-Ferrand International Short-subject Film Festival, France.

    An Attempt, by Pamela Nassour (2021 / Lebanon / 18:26 minutes) 
    Like all Lebanese people, Alfred, a high school teacher, tries to adapt to the new socio-political situation brought about by that country’s October Revolution. Bombarded by the media, he ends up joining his students on the field to protest, in an attempt to change things.
    Cast: Josef Chemaly, Dima Merheb, Antonio Chedid, Diana Noujaim.

    Bint Werdan, by Maysaa Almumin (2020 / Kuwait - Qatar - Egypt / 14:01 minutes)
    A greatly discouraged woman struggles to keep up appearances in front of her cheerful, motivated co-workers at the office. An encounter with a dying cockroach in the office bathroom turns into an absurd friendship, becoming the comforting companionship she needs until realizing its destructive effects on her life.
    Cast: Enas El Fallal; Sedky Sakhr, Sandy Sawiris.
    Awards and festivals: Special Mention at the Cinefantasy International Film Festival, Brazil; Malmö Arab Film Festival, Official Section, Sweden.

    Athel, by Alyazia Bint Nahyan Al Nahyan (2020 / United Arab Emirates / 15 minutes).
    Salma, a well-known presenter, is filming a poetry show about the pre-Islamic poet Tarfa. A sandstorm interrupts filming of the episode and Salma’s son goes missing for days. Salma remains oddly calm: something very unreal is about to happen.
    Cast: Mansoor Alfeeli, Hala Shiha.
    Awards: Kolkata International Cult Film Festival; Gold Remi Award at the WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival, United States; Best Film Award at the Al Ain Film Festival, United Arab Emirates.

    Girl’s Mountain, by Sharine Atif (2018 / Egypt / 15 minutes)
    Going against the taboos of traditional Bedouin society, two bold and daring young women run away from home to escape forced marriages. They set off on a journey through the Sinai Desert, where they make a life-or-death decision that will change their future forever.
    Cast: Sara Somaya Abed, Jala Hesham, Fatma Kamal, Soliman El Jebaly
    Awards: Jury Special Mention Award-SHNIT Worldwide Short Film Festival, Egypt; Student Visionary Award-Tribeca Film Festival, United States; Best Film-AfriCajarc - Festival of African Cultures, France.

    Give up the Ghost, by Zain Duraie (2019 / Jordan - Sweden - Germany / 15 minutes)
    Salam’s dream of becoming a mother is shattered when she discovers she is unable to have children with her husband. A life of conviction and belief is put to the test when Salam realizes she must make a choice.
    Cast: Maria Zreik, Ziad Bakri, Nibal Al Awadi, Amin Safi
    Awards: El Gouna Star for Best Arab Short Film at the El Gouna Film Festival, Egypt; Special Mention at the Malmö Film Festival (MAFF), Sweden; Jury Award for Best Actress given to Maria Zreik at the Indian World Film Festival, India; Vimeo Staff Pick Award at the Palm Springs International ShortFest, USA.
  • Film: "Parkour"

    December 03, 20217:30 p.m.
    MADRID
    Casa Árabe Auditorium (at Calle Alcalá, 62). 7:30 p.m. 5 euros: general tickets at the box office. 4 euros: Tickets purchased online, the officially unemployed, Casa Árabe Language Center students and Youth Card holders, by showing the proper documentation. You may only receive one discount. Sales in advance
    Films shown in the original language version with subtitles in Spanish.
    On Friday December 3 we will be screening at our Madrid headquarters the fiction film "Parkour", by director Fatma Zohra Zamoun, in which she gives a voice to the most invisible sectors of Algerian society. Tickets are now on sale.
    Parkour, by Fatma Zohra Zamoum (2019 / Algeria / 81 minutes) Fiction 
    Early one morning, a large group of people start heading towards a wedding hall: Youcef, a street vendor; Salima, a worker on the kitchen staff, and Sonia, a singer. They all have reasons to attend Kamila and Khaled’s wedding, but each is motivated by something different. The film gives a voice to the most invisible sectors of Algerian society today. Algerian parkour athlete Nazim Halladja made his acting debut in the film.

    Cast: Nazim Halladja, Adila Bendimered, Houda Hachemi, Nadjia Laaraf

    Awards and festivals: Best Screenplay and Jury Award at the Indian World Cinema Film Festival (IWFF), India; Best Experimental Film and Best Film Directed by a Woman at the Istanbul Film Awards (IFA), Turkey; Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), Canada; Rencontres Cinématographiques de Béjaia (RCB), Algeria; Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF), Egypt; IFA - Istanbul Film Awards, Turkey; New Zealand’s African Film Festival, New Zealand; The French-Arab Film Festival of Noisy-Le-Sec, France.
  • Film: "The Borrowed Dress"

    December 03, 20217:30 p.m.
    CORDOBA
    Casa Árabe Auditorium (at Calle Samuel de los Santos Gener, 9). 6:00 p.m. 4 euros for the general public at the headquarters. 7:30 p.m. 4 euros for the general public at the venue.
    4 euros: general public at the venue. 3 euros: online payments, officially unemployed persons, students of Casa Árabe's Language Centre and Youth Card holders. On sale on our website, or at Casa Árabe's headquarters in Cordoba (in cash or by credit card). Masks must be worn at all times. 
    Films shown in the original language version with subtitles in Spanish.
    The filmmaker Leen Alfaisal directs this documentary, in which she portrays the flight from Syria of three members of the same family, the details of their personal stories and their desire to be reunited. The screening will take place on Friday December 3 in Cordoba. Tickets on sale now.
    The Borrowed Dress, by Leen Alfaisal (2017 / UAE - Jordan - Lebanon - Syria / 54 minutes) Documentary
    Grandma Susu (80 years old), her daughter Doaa (50) and grandson Saad (16) are forced to flee Syria after the revolution breaks out, ending up scattered in different places with the only thing they have left: a shared longing to be reunited. Their personal stories and human experiences reflect two extremes in a tragic turn of events: on the one hand, a population that has spread all over the world and, on the other, a homeland which may have been changed forever.

    Cast: Siham Abu Nabbout, Doaa Al Zoabi, Saad Alkuwatly

    Awards and festivals: Special Jury Mention at the International Beirut Women’s Film Festival (BWFF), Lebanon; Best Documentary at the Silk Road International Film Festival (SRIFF), Ireland; World Cinema’s London International Filmmakers Festival, UK; Karama Beirut Human Rights Film Festival, Lebanon; Malmö Arab Film Festival, Sweden; Karama Human Rights Film Festival, Jordan; Rotterdam Arab Film Festival, The Netherlands.
  • Film: "The Borrowed Dress"

    December 10, 20217:30 p.m.
    MADRID
    Casa Árabe Auditorium (at Calle Alcalá, 62). 7:30 p.m. 5 euros: general tickets at the box office. 4 euros: Tickets purchased online, the officially unemployed, Casa Árabe Language Center students and Youth Card holders, by showing the proper documentation. You may only receive one discount. Sales in advance
    Films shown in the original language version with subtitles in Spanish.
    We present this documentary by director Leen Alfaisal, in which she portrays the flight from Syria of three members of the same family, the details of their personal stories and their desire to be reunited. Tickets on sale now.
    The Borrowed Dress, by Leen Alfaisal (2017 / UAE - Jordan - Lebanon - Syria / 54 minutes) Documentary
    Grandma Susu (80 years old), her daughter Doaa (50) and grandson Saad (16) are forced to flee Syria after the revolution breaks out, ending up scattered in different places with the only thing they have left: a shared longing to be reunited. Their personal stories and human experiences reflect two extremes in a tragic turn of events: on the one hand, a population that has spread all over the world and, on the other, a homeland which may have been changed forever.

    Cast: Siham Abu Nabbout, Doaa Al Zoabi, Saad Alkuwatly

    Awards and festivals: Special Jury Mention at the International Beirut Women’s Film Festival (BWFF), Lebanon; Best Documentary at the Silk Road International Film Festival (SRIFF), Ireland; World Cinema’s London International Filmmakers Festival, UK; Karama Beirut Human Rights Film Festival, Lebanon; Malmö Arab Film Festival, Sweden; Karama Human Rights Film Festival, Jordan; Rotterdam Arab Film Festival, The Netherlands.
  • Film: "Trapped"

    December 10, 20217:30 p.m.
    CORDOBA
    Casa Árabe Auditorium (at Calle Samuel de los Santos Gener, 9). 6:00 p.m. 4 euros for the general public at the headquarters. 7:30 p.m. 4 euros for the general public at the venue.
    4 euros: general public at the venue. 3 euros: online payments, officially unemployed persons, students of Casa Árabe's Language Centre and Youth Card holders. On sale on our website, or at Casa Árabe's headquarters in Cordoba (in cash or by credit card). Masks must be worn at all times.
    Films shown in the original language version with subtitles in Spanish.
    New session of the cycle dedicated to contemporary Arab women directors in Cordoba, with this fiction feature film directed by Mala Khaled. Buy your ticket online now.
    Trapped, by Manal Khaled (2021 / Egypt / 77 minutes) Fiction
    Several women from different social backgrounds find themselves caught up in the events unfolding in Egypt’s streets and apartment buildings. This situation is not necessarily limited to physical confinement between concrete walls and behind closed doors, but is also the result of inner thoughts and conflicts. Though the women share similar dreams of freedom from social limitations and conditions, each fights her own battle.

    Cast: Coroline Khalil, Osama Abo El Ata, Reem Hegab, Sara’a Jebel.

    Awards and festivals: South by Southwest Festival, United States; Amman International Film Festival - Awal Film, Jordan; El Gouna Film Festival, Egypt; Karama Beirut Human Rights Film Festival, Beirut; Mostra de València -Cinema del Mediterrani, Spain; Décio Gonçalves - Cineaddicción.
  • Selection of short-subject films

    Selection of short-subject films

    December 17, 20217:30 p.m.
    MADRID
    Casa Árabe Auditorium (at Calle Alcalá, 62). 7:30 p.m. 5 euros: general tickets at the box office. 4 euros: Tickets purchased online, the officially unemployed, Casa Árabe Language Center students and Youth Card holders, by showing the proper documentation. You may only receive one discount. Sales in advance
    Films shown in the original language version with subtitles in Spanish.
    With this selection of 6 short films we conclude our film screenings at the Madrid headquarters on 17 December. We will be back in 2022 with more Arab cinema. 
    Selection of short-subject films (total running time: 108 minutes)

    Al-Sit, by Suzannah Mirghani (2020 / Sudan - Qatar / 20 minutes) 
    In a village where cotton is farmed in Sudan, 15-year-old Nafisa falls in love with Babiker, but her parents have arranged her marriage to Nadir, a young Sudanese businessman who lives abroad. Nafisa’s grandmother, Al-Sit, the powerful village matriarch, has her own plans for Nafisa’s future. But will Nafisa be able to choose for herself?
    Cast: Mihad Murtada, Rabeha Mohammed, Mohammed Magdi, Haram Basher
    Awards and festivals (selection): Best Director at the International Beirut Women’s Film Festival, Lebanon; Best Short-subject Film and President’s Award at the Zanzibar International Film Festival, Zanzibar; Clermont-Ferrand International Short-subject Film Festival, France.

    An Attempt, by Pamela Nassour (2021 / Lebanon / 18:26 minutes) 
    Like all Lebanese people, Alfred, a high school teacher, tries to adapt to the new socio-political situation brought about by that country’s October Revolution. Bombarded by the media, he ends up joining his students on the field to protest, in an attempt to change things.
    Cast: Josef Chemaly, Dima Merheb, Antonio Chedid, Diana Noujaim.

    Bint Werdan, by Maysaa Almumin (2020 / Kuwait - Qatar - Egypt / 14:01 minutes)
    A greatly discouraged woman struggles to keep up appearances in front of her cheerful, motivated co-workers at the office. An encounter with a dying cockroach in the office bathroom turns into an absurd friendship, becoming the comforting companionship she needs until realizing its destructive effects on her life.
    Cast: Enas El Fallal; Sedky Sakhr, Sandy Sawiris.
    Awards and festivals: Special Mention at the Cinefantasy International Film Festival, Brazil; Malmö Arab Film Festival, Official Section, Sweden.

    Athel, by Alyazia Bint Nahyan Al Nahyan (2020 / United Arab Emirates / 15 minutes)
    Salma, a well-known presenter, is filming a poetry show about the pre-Islamic poet Tarfa. A sandstorm interrupts filming of the episode and Salma’s son goes missing for days. Salma remains oddly calm: something very unreal is about to happen.
    Cast: Mansoor Alfeeli, Hala Shiha.
    Awards: Kolkata International Cult Film Festival; Gold Remi Award at the WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival, United States; Best Film Award at the Al Ain Film Festival, United Arab Emirates.

    Girl’s Mountain, by Sharine Atif (2018 / Egypt / 15 minutes)
    Going against the taboos of traditional Bedouin society, two bold and daring young women run away from home to escape forced marriages. They set off on a journey through the Sinai Desert, where they make a life-or-death decision that will change their future forever.
    Cast: Sara Somaya Abed, Jala Hesham, Fatma Kamal, Soliman El Jebaly
    Awards: Jury Special Mention Award-SHNIT Worldwide Short Film Festival, Egypt; Student Visionary Award-Tribeca Film Festival, United States; Best Film-AfriCajarc - Festival of African Cultures, France.

    Give up the Ghost, by Zain Duraie (2019 / Jordan - Sweden - Germany / 15 minutes)
    Salam’s dream of becoming a mother is shattered when she discovers she is unable to have children with her husband. A life of conviction and belief is put to the test when Salam realizes she must make a choice.
    Cast: Maria Zreik, Ziad Bakri, Nibal Al Awadi, Amin Safi
    Awards: El Gouna Star for Best Arab Short Film at the El Gouna Film Festival, Egypt; Special Mention at the Malmö Film Festival (MAFF), Sweden; Jury Award for Best Actress given to Maria Zreik at the Indian World Film Festival, India; Vimeo Staff Pick Award at the Palm Springs International ShortFest, USA.
  • Film: "Parkour"

    December 17, 20217:30 p.m.
    CORDOBA
    Casa Árabe Auditorium (at Calle Samuel de los Santos Gener, 9). 6:00 p.m. 4 euros for the general public at the headquarters. 7:30 p.m. 4 euros for the general public at the venue.
    4 euros: general public at the venue. 3 euros: online payments, officially unemployed persons, students of Casa Árabe's Language Centre and Youth Card holders. On sale on our website, or at Casa Árabe's headquarters in Cordoba (in cash or by credit card). Masks must be worn at all times.
    Films shown in the original language version with subtitles in Spanish.
    Last session of the year at our Cordoba venue, with this fiction film by director Fatma Zohra Zamoun, in which she gives a voice to the most invisible sectors of Algerian society. We return in 2022 with more Arab cinema.
    Parkour, by Fatma Zohra Zamoum (2019 / Algeria / 81 minutes) Fiction 
    Early one morning, a large group of people start heading towards a wedding hall: Youcef, a street vendor; Salima, a worker on the kitchen staff, and Sonia, a singer. They all have reasons to attend Kamila and Khaled’s wedding, but each is motivated by something different. The film gives a voice to the most invisible sectors of Algerian society today. Algerian parkour athlete Nazim Halladja made his acting debut in the film.

    Cast: Nazim Halladja, Adila Bendimered, Houda Hachemi, Nadjia Laaraf

    Awards and festivals: Best Screenplay and Jury Award at the Indian World Cinema Film Festival (IWFF), India; Best Experimental Film and Best Film Directed by a Woman at the Istanbul Film Awards (IFA), Turkey; Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), Canada; Rencontres Cinématographiques de Béjaia (RCB), Algeria; Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF), Egypt; IFA - Istanbul Film Awards, Turkey; New Zealand’s African Film Festival, New Zealand; The French-Arab Film Festival of Noisy-Le-Sec, France.