Regardless of the worldwide coronavirus pandemic, the 4thedition of the El Gouna Movie Pageant went forward this October, alongside Egypt’s Crimson Sea’s coast.
Following COVID-19 protocols, similar to common temperature checks and restricted seat capability for screenings, the competition spanned 9 days.
One of many competition’s founders, Egyptian businessman Naguib Sawiris, informed Euronews’ Daleen Hassan that internet hosting the occasion this yr was a sign of optimism for the filmmaking business.
“The choice to do the competition was primarily primarily based on the truth that we would like life to go on,” he mentioned. “It’s a message of hope, a message of happiness and a message of defiance – and cinema is all about that.”
The businessman goes on to say that regardless of the COVID-19’s challenges, humanity should problem it.
“We are saying life should go on, or we give up, and keep in a darkish room with all of the psychological issues we are able to get, lose our job, lose our economic system,” he says. “What we attempt to do right here, is to proceed with our movie competition to problem COVID-19.”
Screen time
This yr’s theme was ‘The Tradition of desires,’ and the occasion boasted sixty-three characteristic movies, eighteen quick motion pictures, and ten documentaries from around the globe.
To open proceedings, and premiering inside the newly-built Gouna Convention and Tradition Middle, was Tunisian movie director Kaouther Ben Hania’s film, ‘The Man Who Bought His Pores and skin’.
The story, which facilities round a Syrian refugee in Lebanon, who permits his again to develop into a canvas for a well-known tattoo artist, gained the El Gouna Star for Greatest Arab Narrative Movie.
“I’m actually glad to win this award in an Arabic nation, as a result of it’s a film a couple of refugee in Europe, however let’s say it’s with an Arabic standpoint – which you recognize is just not frequent,” mentioned Ben Hania, who additionally acquired $20,000 prize cash.
Scooping $50,000 and this yr’s high gong of the El Gouna Golden Star for Narrative Movie, was Bosnian film, ‘Quo Vadis, Aida?’.
Written & directed by Jamila Žbanić, the movie was beforehand showcased on the 77th Venice Movie Pageant.
Set towards the backdrop of the Bosnian Struggle, the film tells the story of a United Nations translator referred to as Aida, as she tries to guard her household.
One other notable win included, ‘Days of Cannibalism’ by American director & author, Teboho Edkins, which gained the El Gouna Golden Star for Documentary Movie and $30,000.
Sustainable filmmaking
As soon as once more this yr, the CineGouna Platform, was readily available to nurture and empower younger Arab filmmakers; facilitating conversations with world business specialists.
Below the umbrella of the platform, the CineGouna SpringBoard is a co-production lab, enabling Arab movie administrators and producers – with initiatives in improvement or post-production levels – to search out inventive and monetary assist.
From this yr’s ninety-nine submissions, eighteen initiatives had been chosen.
Jury members included Clément Chautant, head of festivals on the Paris-based firm Indie Gross sales, Lebanese filmmaker Dima Al-Joundi and Jordanian filmmaker Layali Badr.
Winners included the Sudanese movie ‘Goodbye Julia’ by Mohamed Kordofan and the film, ‘Life Fits Me Nicely’ by Moroccan director, Al Hadi Ulad Mohand.
One other younger initiative current on the competition is the Sasha Cell Movie Pageant.
This new platform, in collaboration with TikTok, permits filmmakers to compete in 4 completely different classes with movies made on their cellphones.
With a view to attaining wider viewers, the movies in Sasha had been screened each in a digital and reside format.
On account of journey restrictions enforced by the worldwide pandemic, few worldwide stars had been in attendance at El Gouna this yr.
French actor Gerard Depardieu, nonetheless, was current to obtain an honorary Golden Star Profession Achievement Award through the occasion’s opening ceremony.
Depardieu expressed his appreciation for the cinematic metropolis of El Gouna, evaluating its development too, “how the Pharaoh’s used to construct,”.
The 71-year-old additionally acknowledged the competition for uniting completely different international locations, ethnicities and highlighting the subjects of sectarianism, poverty, homelessness & battle.
“You possibly can’t change the course of historical past, of centuries earlier than, by refusing different cultures,” he mentioned. “I feel we’d like refugees as a result of they’re the ‘new blood’. They carry us their tradition, which is able to wake us up at some point.” He informed Euronews’ Daleen Hassan
Depardieu additionally believes in the significance of Arab Filmmakers whom he predicts will get shine by addressing essential social points.
“Younger filmmakers from the Arab world will shine a highlight on the issues of their youth, the issues of their lives,” says the actor. “And that is what cinema means, it’s making an attempt to indicate one thing that’s undeniable.”
In line with IMDb, Depardieu was twice awarded a César as Greatest Actor, for his roles in ‘The Final Metro’ and ‘Cyrano de Bergerac’ – an element which additionally earned him an Oscar nomination.
Depardieu has additionally just lately printed an ebook titled Ailleurs, an autobiography detailing the actor’s ideas on France, faith, and nature amongst different topics.
In his private life, the colorful character has explored quite a few religions together with Islam and Buddhism.
“The Quran is an e-book that touched me significantly with its humility and respect for others,” the actor informed Encourage Center East. “[But] it was very troublesome to be a Muslim in Western international locations. Religions are attention-grabbing, however, they aren’t attention-grabbing when there’s the ‘satan of politics’ in it.”
