Updated: April 10, 2007
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An Indie Filmmaker's Profile: Omar Saleh
"I am on a mission to say what I feel the urge to say, while staying out of trouble. If some see it as a crusade against injustice and inequity, then be it. But I see myself as an artist speaking his mind. My films and my intentions will always be subject to the interpretation of the audience."
An Indie Filmmaker's Profile: Aseel Mansour
"Cinema in Jordan is still a form of art but definitely not mature yet from the commercial point of view like French or even Indian cinema. I believe this will only happen when investors from the private sector will see it worthwhile to invest in a Jordanian film production because it will –at least- recoup their investment. This is why some filmmakers are so dependent presently on government or foreign funds, which may or may not advance a certain agenda. Both government and foreign funds are not sustainable for a long-term cinematic movement, let alone an Indie movement, keeping in mind the sort of restrictions that come as part of such funding deals."
An Indie Filmmaker's Profile: Ammar Quttaineh
"Commercial Arab cinema is not at its best. I think Arab cinema had seen better times. Indie Arab cinema is where we are heading. The new generation has embraced my films and the films of other digital generation filmmakers because they relate to us. We share a cynical outlook on life. This is a healthy phenomenon. We distrust authority (wonder why) and we distrust the flood of self-proclaimed reformers who can't see their own flaws. We can't stand Arabic TV dramas, except those which share our cynicism (the Syrian comedy Spot Light, for example). We are developing our own cinema that will grow with us. This is the only Arab cinema we recognize today: honest, witty, and with no-makeup. "
A Filmmaker's Profile: Yahya Abdallah
"There are many issues that need to be talked about in the Arab world. In my opinion, the Arab world is a good place to produce films. There are so many untold stories that have not been told cinematically. Not to mention the great Arab tales that still have not been turned into films. "
A Filmmaker's Profile: Laith Majali
"I think that I have a good sense of timing, I am able to set a tone for a film cut through different methods, and color is one of my big concerns. I always like to color a scene correctly, and I spend a lot of time in the color correction phase perfecting each shot. In my editing, I have come to know how to be creative without being disruptive, it's not all about quick cuts, but I know when I can break the rules and use different techniques to select the actors' best performances and to preserve the story of the film."
COLUMN: The State of Jordan's Indie Cinema
COLUMN: Understanding the Short Film
COLUMN: TV Ramadan: The Ongoing Stagnation of Arab Drama
COLUMN: The Quest for Production Value
COLUMN: Impressions of the Dubai Film Festival '05
INTERVIEW | Indie Actor Sameh Hijjawi (5 min/Arabic/12:05)
RealVideoSameh Hijjawi is an agricultural engineer, but his interest in cinema has led him to participate in a number of AFC films such as The Last Patch, Overdose, and Death by Chocolate. He is by far the most well-known AFC face.
INTERVIEW | Marjorie Bendeck of the Berlinale Talent Campus (1.5 min/English/2:06)
RealVideoSenior organizer at the Berlinale Talent Campus '06 comments on this year's event.
Audience Q&A with Iranian director of "It's Winter" filmmaker Rafi Pitts (6 min/English/2:06)
RealVideo"It's Winter" is the first Iranian feature film to screen at the Berlinale Film Festival in Germany since 30 years. Director Rafi Pitts answers questions after the screening of his film.
Audience Q&A with Masoud Amrallah (3.5 min/Arabic/12:05)
RealVideoMasoud Amrallah answers questions at the DIFF about the state of Emirati cinema and planned official support for Emirati filmmakers. Amrallah is the director of Emirates Film Competition and the chief DIFF programmer for Arabic feature films.
INTERVIEW | Katarina Peters director of "Stroke" (5 min/English/12:05)
RealVideo | QuickTime 7During the DIFF '05, I ran into Lucia Rikaki, the documentary programmer of the Dubai Film Festival, she was in the company of a charming German couple, filmmaker Katarina Peters and her husband cellist Boris Baberkoff. Minutes into the conversation Lucia suggested I screen Katarina's film "Stroke." I felt uneasy after learning of the film's topic, the story of the slow and painful near-recovery of Katarina's husband Boris after suffering multiple strokes. With the recent deaths of family members who fell victim to strokes, this film, I knew, would not be an easy one to watch. Yet much to my surprise, the film was more than a daily diary of tragedy and trauma. The documentary film was simply amazing. It's about the triumph of love and friendship over seemingly insurmountable challenges.