The CAC & Aga Khan Documentation Center at MIT Present:
“Edward Said On Orientalism”
Date: November 11th, 2016
Time: 6:30pm
Location: Center for Arabic Culture
191 Highland Ave Suite 6B. Somerville, MA 02143
About the Film
The film discusses Edward W. Said’s provocative work. His hypothesis in his book Orientalism is represented along with his take on a variety of contemporary issues of cultural, historic and global importance.
Our films are free and open to the public. Each film will be followed by guided discussion. The Center for Arabic Culture is a non-profit organization dedicated to celebrating the Arabic Culture in all of its regional and historic varieties and links to other culture in an open, democratic, and humanistic way.
The CAC & Aga Khan Documentation Center at MIT Present:
“Desert Flower”
Date: October 21st, 2016
Time: 6:30pm
Location: Center for Arabic Culture
191 Highland Ave Suite 6B. Somerville, MA 02143
About the Film
“Desert Flower” is the autobiography of a Somalian nomad who was circumcised at 3, sold into marriage at 13, fled from Africa a while later to become finally an American supermodel and is now at the age of 38, the UN spokeswoman against female genital mutilation (FGM).
With Our Guest Speaker Professor Deina Abdulkader
Our films are free and open to the public. Each film will be followed by guided discussion. The Center for Arabic Culture is a non-profit organization dedicated to celebrating the Arabic Culture in all of its regional and historic varieties and links to other culture in an open, democratic, and humanistic way.
CAC and the Aga Khan Documentation Center at MIT Present
“Where Should the Birds Fly”
Date: September 30th, 2016
Time: 6:30pm
Location: Center for Arabic Culture
191 Highland Ave Suite 6B. Somerville, MA 02143
Where Should The Birds Fly is the first film about Gaza made by Palestinians living the reality of Israel’s siege and blockade of this tiny enclave. It is the story of two young women, survivors of Israel’s Operation Cast Lead. Mona Samouni, now 12 years old and the filmmaker, Fida Qishta, now 27, represent the spirit and future of Palestinians. The film reveals the strength and hope, the humanity and humor that flourishes among the people of Gaza. Few films document so powerfully and personally the impact of modern warfare and sanctions on a civilian population. The film itself breaks the blockade.
With Our Guest Speaker Professor Amahl Bishara
Our films are free and open to the public. Each film will be followed by guided discussion. The Center for Arabic Culture is a non-profit organization dedicated to celebrating the Arabic Culture in all of its regional and historic varieties and links to other culture in an open, democratic, and humanistic way.
Our films are free and open to the public. Each film will be followed by guided discussion. The Center for Arabic Culture is a non-profit organization dedicated to celebrating the Arabic Culture in all of its regional and historic varieties and links to other culture in an open, democratic, and humanistic way.
September Film: “Where Should the Birds Fly” (2013)
Where Should The Birds Fly is the first film about Gaza made by Palestinians living the reality of Israel’s siege and blockade of this tiny enclave. It is the story of two young women, survivors of Israel’s Operation Cast Lead. Mona Samouni, now 12 years old and the filmmaker, Fida Qishta, now 27, represent the spirit and future of Palestinians. The film reveals the stregth and hope, the humanity and humor that flourishes among the people of Gaza. Few films document so powerfully and personally the impact of modern warfare and sanctions on a civilian population. The film itself breaks the blockade.
With Our Guest Speaker Professor Amahl Bishara
Date: September 30th, 2016
Time: 6:30pm
Location: Center for Arabic Culture
191 Highland Ave Suite 6B. Somerville, MA 02143
———————————————————–
October Film: “Desert Flower” (2009)
The autobiography of a Somalian nomad circumcised at 3, sold in marriage at 13, fled from Africa a while later to become finally an American supermodel and is now at the age of 38, the UN spokeswoman against female genital mutilation (FGM).
With Our Guest Speaker Professor Deina Abdulkader
Date: October 21st, 2016
Time: 6:30pm
Location: Center for Arabic Culture
191 Highland Ave Suite 6B. Somerville, MA 02143
————————————————————————–
November Film: Edward Said On Orientalism (1998)
The film discusses Edward W. Said’s provocative work. His hypothesis in his book Orientalism is represented along with his take on a variety of contemporary issues of cultural, historical and global importance.
Date: November 11, 2016
Time: 6:30 pm
Location: Center for Arabic Culture
191 Highland Ave Suite 6B. Somerville, MA 02143
—————————————————————————-
Special Thanks to the Aga Khan Documentation Center at MIT for Collaborating with us in this Film Screening Program!
The CAC and Aga Khan Documentation Center at MIT Present:
TUNISIA, YEAR ZERO
“The story of the first democracy in the Arab world.”
A Film by Feriel Ben Mahmoud
We will be joined by Guest Speaker Professor Rachid Aadnani
for a discussion after the film.
Date: December 11, 2o15
Time: 6:30 pm
Location: Center for Arabic Culture
191 Highland Av. Suit 6B. Somerville, MA 02143
About the Film:
On January 14th, 2011, the people of Tunisia took to the streets in mass protest and toppled the government of Ben Ali. The event has a tremendous impact in the region which triggers the Arab Spring. Following the revolution, Tunisians make the radical choice to draft a new state constitution. Called to the urns for the first free elections of their history, the citizens of Tunisia will have to choose which model of society they wish to live in. Islam, secularism and women’s status become the major themes of a campaign under high pressure.
Following the events day by day, TUNISIA, YEAR ZERO tells the story of a difficult birth: that of the first democracy in the Arab world. In 6 months, no less than 110 political parties were created. In this political turmoil, a few of them emerge: the Islamist party Ennhada seduces those disappointed with the revolution. Some other modernist parties, such as Ettakatol and the PDP, are divided on the content of their policies as well as on which strategy to adopt. Leading the polls, Ennahdha will confirm its success in the elections with more than 90 seats out of 217.
How could these results be predicted? TUNISIA, YEAR ZERO gives the reasons for the outcome of the elections.
Going beyond the headlines, this story—filmed in the fourteen months leading up to the Revolution— highlights the years of mounting resentment against the ruling regime. Filmmaker Lillie Paquette follows key opposition figures and young democracy activists as they struggle against extraordinary odds to remove an uncompromising US-backed authoritarian regime determined to stay in power.
Date: Friday October 30, 2015
Time: 6:30 pm
Location: Center for Arabic Culture
191 Highland Av. Suit 6B. Somerville, MA 02143
Free and Open to the Public
Followed by an Open Discussion with director Lillie Paquette
“Winner at the Sundance Film Festival, 5 Broken Cameras is a deeply personal, first-hand account of non-violent resistance in Bil’in, a West Bank village threatened by encroaching Israeli settlements.”
Date: Friday November 20, 2015
Time: 6:30 pm
Location: Center for Arabic Culture
191 Highland Av. Suite 6B. Somerville, MA 02143
Free and Open to the Public
December Film
TUNISIA, YEAR ZERO
“The story of the first democracy in the Arab world.”
A Film by Feriel Ben Mahmoud
On January 14th, 2011, the people of Tunisia took to the streets in mass protest and toppled the government of Ben Ali. The event has a tremendous impact in the region which triggers the Arab Spring. Following the revolution, Tunisians make the radical choice to draft a new state constitution. Called to the urns for the first free elections of their history, the citizens of Tunisia will have to choose which model of society they wish to live in. Islam, secularism and women’s status become the major themes of a campaign under high pressure.
Following the events day by day, TUNISIA, YEAR ZERO tells the story of a difficult birth: that of the first democracy in the Arab world. In 6 months, no less than 110 political parties were created. In this political turmoil, a few of them emerge: the Islamist party Ennhada seduces those disappointed with the revolution. Some other modernist parties, such as Ettakatol and the PDP, are divided on the content of their policies as well as on which strategy to adopt. Leading the polls, Ennahdha will confirm its success in the elections with more than 90 seats out of 217.
How could these results be predicted? TUNISIA, YEAR ZERO gives the reasons for the outcome of the elections.
Going beyond the headlines, this story—filmed in the fourteen months leading up to the Revolution— highlights the years of mounting resentment against the ruling regime. Filmmaker Lillie Paquette follows key opposition figures and young democracy activists as they struggle against extraordinary odds to remove an uncompromising US-backed authoritarian regime determined to stay in power.
Date: Friday October 30, 2015
Time: 6:30 pm
Location: Center for Arabic Culture
191 Highland Av. Suit 6B. Somerville, MA 02143
Free and Open to the Public
Followed by an Open Discussion with director Lillie Paquette
The guest speaker will be CAC Founding Board Member
Dr. John Makhoul
Synopsis:
The events of this film take place in Lebanon prior to World War I when most of the Arab countries were under the domination of the Ottoman Empire. These were very difficult days for the local population who had to endure injustice and cruelty, their crops confiscated to feed the army and young men recruited by force into the invaders’ army. If they tried to avoid recruitment and were caught they were sent into exile, hence the title of the film. The fight against oppression is fully illustrated in the film and told in the songs and music.
As always, this film screening is free and open to the public!
The Center for Arabic Culture Film Screening Program
To go back to our Fall 2014 Film Screenings,click here.
~~~~~
Spring 2015 Film Screenings
Beverages, snacks and Middle Eastern sweets will be served
The CAC will be celebrating Lebanese Singer Fairuz and the Rahbani Brothers:
Assi and Mansour Rahbani were Lebanese composers who rose to fame throughout the last half of the twentieth century. For nearly three decades they collaborated with legendary singer Fairouz, known as the Jewel of Lebanon. The trio revolutionized the standard for Arab music with the three-minute song (when most were twenty minutes long at the time) and more complex lyrics. Their work ranged from songs about youth and love to musicals that experimented with political satire.
Their musical content generally refrained from taking political stances, often presenting a pan-Arab philosophy. During the Lebanese Civil War their music was actually used in propaganda by both sides. In a country that had only recently gained independence by their first collaboration in 1951, Fairouz and the Rahbani brothers were credited with molding Lebanese identity. Perhaps the most internationally famous Lebanese musicians, Fairouz and the Rahbani brothers produced 19 musicals in 20 years.
~~~~~
Bayya3 al-Khawatem (Rings for Sale)
Friday January 23, 2015 – 6:30 pm
In a first attempt to make a feature film out of a widely acclaimed musical, “Bayya3 al-Khawatem” was shot in the Lebanese countryside echoing the songs and music that were first heard on stage.
This film is about a small village where the young people are preparing for an annual festival in which many will choose spouses. The mayor of the village, who has a niece named Rima, decides that the villagers are too bored and need to have their imagination stimulated. He invents and tells stories about a fictitious person named Rabi’, describing him as an enemy of the village. Then two idlers in the village start to steal, damage property, and so forth, while putting the blame on Rabi’. Things look even worse when a tall, strong stranger enters the village, says that his name is Rabi’, and asks Rima where he can find the village’s mayor.
~~~~~
Bint al-Hares (Daughter of the Watchman)
Friday February 27, 2015 – 6:30 pm
Bint al-Hares is a love story that grows between a village girl called Rima and an outsider. Her father, the village watchman, who claims to watch after the comings and goings of all the village affairs, is blind to his daughter’s interest in the stranger. The songs of this film celebrate the Lebanese landscape as they portray the merry aspect of village life.
~~~~~
Safar Barlek (The Exile)
Friday March 27, 2015 – 6:30 pm
The events of this film take place in Lebanon prior to World War I when most of the Arab countries were under the domination of the Ottoman Empire. These were very difficult days for the local population who had to endure injustice and cruelty, their crops confiscated to feed the army and young men recruited by force into the invaders’ army. If they tried to avoid recruitment and were caught they were sent into exile, hence the title of the film. The fight against oppression is fully illustrated in the film and told in the songs and music.
~~~~~
Join us for these great events at the CAC – 191 Highland Avenue, Unit 6B, Somerville, MA
The Center for Arabic Culture Film Screening Program
To see what we have planned for Spring 2014, pleaseclick here.
~~~~~
Fall 2014 Film Screenings
Beverages, snacks and Middle Eastern sweets will be served
The CAC will be celebrating Egyptian Award-Winning Director Youssef Chahine:
Critically acclaimed Egyptian film director and producer Youssef Chahine was born in Alexandria, Egypt, in 1926. After university in Alexandria he traveled to Los Angeles, California to study acting. Upon returning to Egypt Chahine entered the film industry as a director, launching his first feature film in 1950 at age 23. His second film, Ibn an-Nil (Son of the Nile) resulted in his first invitation to the Cannes Film Festival in 1951.
Chahine is also credited with discovering and launching the career of actor Omar Sherif.
Chahine once said of his work, “I make my films first for myself. Then for my family. Then for Alexandria. Then for Egypt.” His work touched on controversial topics, from criticism of Egyptian society to homosexuality and what was considered anti-Americanism in a post-9/11 world. Despite being controversial, his films rendered him Arab cinema’s most celebrated director.
“If the Arab world likes them, ahlan wa sahlan (welcome). If the foreign audience likes them, they are doubly welcome.” In fact they did, and Chahine was awarded the Cannes Film Festival’s lifetime achievement award in 1997.
~~~~~
Al Mohajer (The Emigrant)
Friday October 3, 2014 – 7:30 pm
Filled with beautiful location shots of Egyptian ruins and lush re-enactments of decadent cult rituals, The Emigrant is a fascinating retelling of the biblical tale of Joseph, told from an Egyptian perspective. Ram (“Joseph”), tired of his family’s backward superstitious life and bullying brothers, wants to travel to Egypt to study agriculture. His brothers travel with him across the Sinai but suddenly sell him to an Egyptian who works for a regional military leader. Ram soon finds himself a pawn in the political and sexual games between Amihar and his wife Simihit, a high priestess of the Cult of Amun.
~~~~~
Al Maseer (Destiny)
Friday November 14, 2014 – 6:30 pm
The story is set in the 12th century in Arab-ruled Spanish province Andalusia, where famed philosopher Averroes is appointed grand judge by the caliph and his liberal court judgments are not liked by everyone especially the caliph’s political rivals, centered around the leader of a fanatical Islamic sect. It is a story about love, music, religion, power and destiny.
~~~~~
Al Akhar (The Other)
Friday December 19, 2014 – 7:30 pm
Egyptian director Youssef Chahine exposes the links between power and fanaticism and denounces intolerance in this bitter portrait of the Egyptian business world, where unconditional drive for money rules. Adam (Hani Salama), the son of a rich businessman, and his American wife meet Hanane (Hanane Turk), a journalist of modest means at the airport on his return from studying in the US. She is part of a campaign against a wealthy elite, which has thrived on plundering its own people. Corruption is everywhere in the country and American interests are taking over the lucrative tourist trade. Adam’s rich parents and their friends in the government are at the heart of this corrupt system. 52nd Cannes Film Festival, 1999.
~~~~~
Join us for these great events at the CAC – 191 Highland Avenue, Unit 6B, Somerville, MA
Free and open to the public!
~~~~~
In the Spring we will be featuring
legendary Lebanese singer Fairouz and the Rahbani Brothers!
For a full list of Spring 2015 films, pleaseclick here.
