Egyptian cinema to be honoured at the European Parliament
- Cineuropa and the Euromed Audiovisual programme are to hold a screening of Winter of Discontent at the European Parliament, followed by a debate about the Arab revolutions
Cineuropa and the Euromed Audiovisual Programme of the European Commission are to hold a screening of Ibrahim El Batout's Winter of Discontent on Wednesday, November 28, 2012 at 6:30pm at the European Parliament, followed by a debate on "Images and Revolution".
There isn't a single great film festival in the world that has not, in one way or another, paid tribute to the Arab Spring over the last two years. Inspired by a spirit of revolt liberating voices and demanding more justice and democracy, many filmmakers, often victims themselves of the ferocity and arbitrary nature of the authorities, have chosen to bear witness to a changing era.
But beyond cinema being the means to liberate voices, it is also a job provider and a formidable tool for economic development. How can one develop this industry that is both a driving force for democracy and economic growth?
Cineuropa is associated to this initiative that is to address an issue of primary importance for the peaceful development of relations with our southern neighbours.
The debate is to be held in the presence of Isabelle Durant, Vice-President of the European Parliament, Doris Pack, President of the Committee on Culture,Pier Antonio Panzeri, President of the Delegation for relations with countries of the Maghreb and the Arab Maghreb Union, Niccolò Rinaldi, Member of the Committee on International Trade.
It is to bring together Dora Bouchoucha, Tunisian producer and the president of the Fonds Cinéma du Monde ("World Film Fund"), Hinde Boujemaa, a Tunisian filmmaker who made a notable film about the Tunisian revolution, Ibrahim El Batout, one of Egypt's most prominent film directors, whose magnificent Winter of Discontent was recently screened at the 2012 Venice Film Festival and Amr Waked, the main actor and producer of the film.
Winter of Discontent presents three characters whose lives are turned upside down by the Revolution of January 25, 2011. Screened at the Venice Film Festival, this feature film takes us back to the bloodiest moments of the Mubarak regime and helps us to understand why the fate of a nation was decided in Tahrir Square.
The film has participated in the festivals of Venice, Chicago, Sao-Paulo, Montpellier (Critics' Awerd and Jury Special Mention), Stockholm, Brussels (FIFI), London, and is to open the Cairo Film Festival.
To attend the screening and the debate, please email: brussels@euromedaudiovisuel.net.
Screening: 6:30 pm
Conference: 8 pm
Cocktail: 9 pm
Cineuropa met Winter of Discontent actors Amr Waked e Salah Hanafy the 10 of November in Brussels. See the video interview.
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