Six to See: Arab Film Festival Returns to Sydney
The Arab Film Festival Australia (AFFA) returns this August for its 14th year, sharing cultural insight and stories of the Arab world through an impressive program of six features and five short films.
The AFFA program is an important platform for filmmakers of Arabic heritage to share often unheard stories about the experiences of Arab people today. With a focus on generational prejudice towards women and how they overcome such problems, AFFA provides audiences with an opportunity to understand the complexities of struggle within a range of Arabic societies. There is also a film set in Melbourne that surrounds the issues of arranged marriages.
“The Arab Film Festival strives to bring powerful and contemporary Arab stories to diverse Australian audiences. The films come from the Arab world and the diaspora," says festival co-director Mouna Zaylah.
MAHBAS
A tale about love and marriage among neighbours, this romantic comedy follows Therese (Julia Kassar) who holds a decade-old grudge against people of Syria after her brother was killed by a Syrian bomb. She finds herself at a moral crossroads when her daughter's future in-laws are revealed to be Syrian. Director Sophie Boutros will make an appearance on the opening night.
A Maid for Each
Director Maher Abi Samra deciphers the disturbing treatment of female foreign domestic workers in Lebanon in his latest documentary. Exploring the inner workings of an agency in Beirut, the film exposes a system of dehumanisation that affects countless young women.
I Still Hide to Smoke
Rayhana Obermeyer's powerful all-female cast presents the story of women of all ages and walks of life, drawn together by their lively conversations at a Hammam (Turkish bathhouse). In an exploration of politics, provocative content and steamy conversation, I Still Hide to Smoke tells a multitude of stories through a seemingly unconventional platform of communication – a steam room.
Ali's Wedding
Based on the real-life experience of lead actor Osamah Sami, whose arranged marriage lasted less than two hours, Ali's Wedding humorously explores an authentic tale of unauthentic love within the suburban setting of multicultural Melbourne.
Ali, The Goat and Ibrahim
Under the impression that his girlfriend's soul has been reincarnated into a goat, Ali starts to take action. His friend, Ibrahim, starts hearing strange noises, so the pair head to a healer to find out they have been cursed. This tale of friendship, reconciliation and self-discovery takes the viewer on a touching journey from start to finish.
Gaza Surf Club
An uplifting documentary about a group of boys and girls who stick to their passion: surfing. The problem is they live in one of the world's most battle-scarred locations. The film follows the young people locked between Egypt and Israel, as they try to seek meaning and perspective through surfing the beaches of Gaza.
The festival runs in Sydney August 17–20.
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