Media’s Potential Barely Tapped, Says Queen Noor

Queen Noor Al Hussein of Jordan stated this while addressing the annual Cultural Bridge panel organised by DIFF, as Guest of Honour.

Highlighting the importance of media in identity formation and cross-cultural exchanges, she said its potential as cultural bridge builder is barely tapped. Her Majesty Queen Noor said films like Budrus has the power to open up communication and exemplify how media can influence us.

Citing examples and offering personal insights, she explained that media has the power to shift behaviour and thinking, underscoring the power of cinema to serve as a knife to cut through the differences and promote peace and prosperity.

DIFF Chairman Abdulhamid Juma said the Cultural Bridge panel, intrinsically linked to the central credo of the festival – Building Cultures, Meeting Minds – highlights the ability of cinema to break down cultural barriers. He said the media plays a central role in widening the understanding of different cultures.

Julia Bacha, Director of Budrus; Hollywood Producer Mike Medavoy and MIT Professor Rebecca Saxe, participated in the Panel, moderated by Shamil Idriss, chief executive officer of Soliya. The participants discussed the current trends in media, including the emergence of digital media, reiterating the importance of adhering to the traditions of good story telling to bring meaningful change.

Bacha said that documentaries should not “beat people over their head” driven by the sole focus on changing the world, so much that the focus of the filmmakers 
become clouded.

“Only good story telling will change the people.” The speakers shared cutting-edge research from the fields of neuro-science and social psychology, offering a unique forum for topical discussion

—news@khaleejtimes.com