Syrian Arab News Agency S A N A
Damascus, SANA – A festival will be organized on May 27th marking the centenary of establishing the first cinema hall in Syria at Dar al-Assad for Culture and Arts in Damascus, said Mohammad al-Ahmad Director General of the Cinema General Establishment in Syria.
The first cinema hall in Syria was established one hundred years ago and it was located where the current building of People’s Assembly stands. Before that date, theatrical shows were mainly popular festivals at cafes where amateur dramatic groups performed the Seventh Art productions in Damascus and Aleppo.
In a press conference held at Kendi Cinema Hall, al-Ahmad said that the main aim is to hold a mini film festival, noting that Damascus International Film Festival has always been an important and extraordinary event in the Syrian cultural scene due to the opportunity it provides to know the latest film productions worldwide.
He added that an official competition for long films will be held with the participation of 17 films: “Me, You, Mother and Father” by Abdul Latif Abdul Hamid and “Syrians” by Basel al-Khateeb from Syria, the Lebanese film “The Bride’s Bracelet”, the Moroccan film “Jok Lomian”, the Algerian film “The Well” and the Egyptian film “Nawarah”, in addition to premieres for movies from Ireland, China, Pakistan, Argentina, Poland, Russia, Canada and Scotland.
He noted that the jury committee will be headed by Syrian actor Duraid Lahham and the membership of star actress Sulaf Fawakherji, Egyptian Director Munir Radhi, Musician Samir Kwaifaty, Author Lina Kaylani, the Lebanese director Simon el-Haber, journalist Hiam Hamwi and writer Mahmoud Abdulwahed.
The French film “Dheepan” by Director Jacques Audiard and winner of the Palme d’Or at the Cannes International Film Festival in 2015 will be screened at the opening ceremony while displaying the Oscar-winning movie “Spotlight” will wrap up the closing ceremony.
He added that a ceremony will be held honoring actor Houssam Tahsin Bek, director of photography Bahjat Haidar, writer Hassan M. Yousef from Syria, star actress Bossy, actor Samir Sabri, producer Mohsen Alam Eddin and Director Omar Abdulaziz.
Egyptian star actress Fardous Abdul Hamid, Director Mohammad Fadel and star actress Suzan Najm Eddin will be honored at the closing ceremony too, he added.
Al-Ahmad said that 35 best movies of the third millennium and award-winning films at Venice, Berlin, Cannes, and Oscar festivals between 2000-2015 will be screened at Kendi Hall in Damascus.
War films including Mariam, al-Umm (The Mother) by Basel al-Khatib, Waiting for Autumn by director Joud Said, Abdul Latif Abdul Hamid’s The Lover (El Asheq), Najdat Anzour’s film “Mortal and Dispersing”, “Cherries Letter” by Sulaf Fawakherji and others will be also displayed.
Movie stars and actors from Algeria, Lebanon, Egypt and other countries are participating in the festival which last till June 2nd.
R. Raslan / Ghossoun
