Doha Film Institute’s Qumra Workshop to Preview Timely Arab Films, Including Several Palestinian Projects, With Mentorship From Walter Salles, Johnnie To, Lav Diaz

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The Qumra workshop by the Doha Film Institute begins this coming Friday, showcasing the finest selections from Arab cinema, such as several pertinent Palestinian productions, along with many prominent film industry experts who are planning to attend in Doha’s capital city.

Distinctive movie titles soon to be revealed in Doha – a city instrumental in negotiations between Hamas and Israel – include the science fiction thriller “In Memory of Times to Come” (concept art shown above), a debut feature from Danish-Palestinian artist Larissa Sansour. She represented Denmark at the 58th Venice Visual Arts Biennale. As per the plot, the movie takes place 30 years in the future after an “eco catastrophe.” A woman and her husband live harmoniously in a revived Bethlehem townhouse, as depicted in the storyline.

In Memory,” a film currently in production, is being brought to life by Anna Köhncke from Norway (known for “The Act of Killing”). This thought-provoking production explores intricate topics such as memory, trauma, ancestry, and national identity. These themes are universally relevant, drawing inspiration from the circumstances in Palestine, according to director Sansour’s statement.

Sansour further discusses how myths impact our historical understanding and delves into the essence of personal identity. Who holds the power to dictate the tales we pass down as a community? What aspects of ourselves might vanish without these narratives? Is discarding a rich cultural legacy a pathway to a more contented life, and is this trade-off something worth considering?

Another upcoming Palestinian TV series is titled “(Dis)Closed,” created by Aida Kaadan, part of the collective Rawiyat: Sisters in Film, a group of Arab female directors. The series, still in development, revolves around a journalist who uncovers the unjust conviction of five Palestinian men, but encounters a system that seeks to suppress the truth about it.

Qumra, a term derived from Arabic and potentially the root of “camera,” focuses on fostering and guiding initial and second films by Arab directors, while also aiding some international projects. The mentors will cultivate the skills of 49 projects’ creative teams – 27 being feature-length films either in development or post-production stages – through individual consultations and workshops.

The artistic guide for this event is Elia Suleiman, a Palestinian filmmaker renowned for creating films that explore the lasting effects of the Arab-Israeli conflicts, including “Divine Intervention,” “The Time That Remains,” and his latest work, “It Must Be Heaven,” which made its debut at Cannes in 2019.

At Qumra, projects still being developed participate in group workshops and one-on-one consultations covering scriptwriting, marketing strategies, and co-production guidance, as well as personalized matchmaking opportunities. Additionally, projects that have already been completed are showcased through a series of private screenings for renowned festival programmers, TV broadcasters, market representatives, sales agents, and distributors.

Movies showcasing Arabic elements, currently in the final production stage and expected to make their debut on film festivals, include:

1. “Cotton Queen” by Sudanese-Russian director Suzannah Mirghani – a story revolving around a teenage girl who becomes the focus of a power struggle as she’s courted by a foreign businessman, with the fate of her village at stake.
2. “Marie & Jolie,” directed by French-Tunisian filmmaker Erige Sehiri and co-founder of Rawiyat: Sisters in Film – a film that explores the lives of three women from different generations in Tunisia, living together in a house that also serves as a church.
3. “The President’s Cake” by NYU professor Hasan Hadi – a tale about a 9-year-old girl who is compelled to bake a cake for Saddam Hussein’s birthday.

This year’s Qumra masters, who will engage in on-stage discussions and serve as mentors, include:
1. Walter Salles, the Brazilian auteur, fresh from winning the Best International Feature Oscar for “I’m Still Here.”
2. The legendary Hong Kong director, Johnnie To.
3. Lav Diaz, a pioneer of slow cinema from the Philippines.
4. Darius Khondji, an acclaimed cinematographer.
5. Anna Terrazas, a master Mexican costume designer.

The Qumra masters for this year are Walter Salles (Brazilian director who won Best International Feature Oscar), Johnnie To (iconic Hong Kong director), Lav Diaz (pioneer of slow cinema from the Philippines), Darius Khondji (acclaimed cinematographer), and Anna Terrazas (master Mexican costume designer). They will be having on-stage conversations and acting as mentors.

Representatives from prominent film festivals such as Cannes, Venice, Berlin, Locarno, Marrakech, Rotterdam, Sarajevo, Sundance, and Tribeca are anticipated to attend.

In addition to Autlook Filmsales, Bac Films, Films Boutique, Indie Sales, Luxbox, Mediawan, Memento International, MK2, and Picture Tree International (all sales companies), attendees in Doha will also include streaming platforms and broadcasters such as Max, Mubi, Arte France, beIN, MBC, and OSN.

The event’s 11th edition runs April 4-9.

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2025-04-01 17:47