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This year, the theme of the festival 'A journey through space and time' maps the Region across a new axis, showcasing films which traverse territories and historical periods. Their program hones in on films with distinct locations and settings rarely seen on screen. Several filmmakers will venture into uncharted geographies to bring their tales to life, while others will spin fresh perspectives on the domestic and the familiar. Some films will also revisit the past to better understand their present, using archive, oral history, pop culture and period costume to uncover forgotten or unheard stories.
Safar is always a great showcase of cinema from the Region in London. Their opening night film will be The Last Queen (2022), with the screening held at Ciné Lumiere and followed by a Q&A with co-director Damien Onouri, who was nominated for a Director’s Award at the Venice Film Festival last year. Then the festival will travel across London and into the Barbican and ICA. But also around eight other cities, which will include Glasgow, Manchester, Liverpool and Oxfort. The Garden Cinema for the first time will serve as a host venue alongside new national partners The Ultimate Picture Palace, Oxford, The Glasgow Film Theatre and The Midlands Art Centre, Birmingham.
As during past editions, Safar will be presenting their 2023 edition in partnership with Shubbak Festival, Europe’s largest festival of contemporary Arab cultures. They will showcase 11 UK premieres, their first ever family film screening, new releases and classic films, plus live events with 15 filmmakers and industry practitioners.
Dounia and the Princess of Aleppo (2022, pictured above) is a film suitable for ages 5+ and tells the story of 6-year old Dounia who has been forced to leave her home in Aleppo, accompanied by her grandfather and grandmother. Directed by Marya Zarif and André Kadi, this film blends the magic of childhood with tragedy of growing up in a war torn country with stunning hand-drawn animation. We can't wait for you to bring the family to enjoy it.
With something for everyone, the festival will also screen additional award-winning titles and premieres including the acclaimed festival hit The Damned Don’t Cry (2022) the sophomore feature from BAFTA nominated, UK-based director Fyzal Boulifa (following his debut Lynn + Lucy, 2019). The screening will be followed by a director Q&A.
Fresh from its submission to this year's Oscar race, is brand new Saudi film Raven Song (2023), which will be followed by an interview with its director Mohammed Al Salman. There's also last year's winner of the FIPRESCI Award in Cannes, Oscar shortlisted title The Blue Caftan (2022) by Maryam Touzani. And for those who love non-fiction there will be Sara Suliman’s documentary Heroic Bodies (2022) which focuses on the rise of the Sudanese women’s movement, and will be premiering in the UK at Safar.
Other notable titles are 19B by Egyptian helmer Ahmad Abdallah and Palestinian filmmaker Firas Khoury's Alam.
And, last but not least, in collaboration with Safar Film Festival, Palestinian filmmaker Saeed Taji Farouky will lead a free two-day project development workshop on the 24-25 of June, for up to six early-career Arab filmmakers (or filmmakers working on projects connected to or inspired by the Arab world). Applicants must apply with a film idea in mind, but it can be anything from an initial outline on paper to an early script.
For more information and to book tickets, check out the Safar website.
