‘From A to B’ to open Arab film fest in June

The Arab Film Festival is set to open on June 4 under the slogan of “Journey Through the Arab.”

The festival, now in its fourth year, has announced a lineup of 10 films to be screened through June 10 at the Arthouse MOMO at Ewha Womans University and the Busan Cinema Center.

The list includes films from both established, award-winning Arab directors and up-and-coming new faces which show various sides of Arab society.

“Since the Arab Spring, Arab films have undergone a dramatic change,” noted Kim Ji-seok, executive programmer at the Busan International Film Festival, in a recommendation message for the Arab Film Festival.

Kim drew particular attention to films from conflict-torn nations such as Palestine and Iraq, saying that they “exhibit a more intense aesthetic moment of artistic contemplation.”

According to the festival, another notable point in this year’s festival is the inclusion of three films from female Arab directors ― “Home Sweet Home” by Lebanese director Nadine Naous, “I am Nojoom, Age 10 and Divorced” by Yemeni director Khadija Al-Salami and “The Narrow Frame of Midnight” by Moroccan director Tala Hadid.

The opening film, “From A to B” by UAE director Ali F. Mostafa, is about a young man who reconnects with old friends to go on a road trip just a few days before he becomes a father for the first time. On the way, they pass through Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Syria, on a journey full of adventures and mishaps.

In addition to the screenings, the AFF will have talks in the evening hosted by specialists, writers, artists and directors covering topics such as women in Arab countries, Arabic language and Arabic food.

All screenings and special programs are open to the public, free of charge. For more information, call (02) 3144-3807 or visit http://fest.korea-arab.org.

By Won Ho-jung (hjwon@heraldcorp.com)