When stories become visual delights

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When stories become visual delights
The Black Box Cinema project at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair.

Abu Dhabi - 18 Arabic films being screened at Black Box cinema as part of ADIBF

by

Silvia Radan

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Published: Thu 28 Apr 2016, 7:17 PM

Last updated: Thu 28 Apr 2016, 9:28 PM

Stories on a screen are still stories, and although visual rather than written, they have become part of the annual Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF).
 
In one corner of its 31,962sqm exhibition space, a black pavilion stands out, displaying no books. This is the Black Box cinema, a project of Emirati filmmaker Nawaf Al Janahi.
 
"We have 18 great Arabic films screening this year," said Al Janahi.
 
Among them there are four Emirati short films, along with shorts from Lebanon, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt and Kuwait.
 
"We went to see Eye and Mermaid, a film from Saudi Arabia. It was really quite good," said Imthiaz Nair, an Indian resident in Abu Dhabi.
 

Where? When?
The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair is being held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre until May 3.
Directed by Shahad Ameen, the Saudi-Qatar co-production tells the story of Hanan, a 10-year-old girl living in a fishing village. Mesmerised by the beautiful black pearls that her father brings back from his night fishing trips, Hanan dreams of joining her father in his sea adventures. He never allows it though and Hanan eventually gets to learn that a harsh price must be paid for such beautiful treasure.
 
"I've always been fascinated by films from Saudi Arabia because cinema is forbidden there, yet there are so many people doing film. That's really the reason we chose this particular film and it turned out it was a good choice," added Nair.
 
Another favourite at the Black Box Cinema this year is Zakaria, a 14-minute Egyptian film by Emad Maher made in 2012.
 
It is the only one in the programme that comes close to a comedy, being inspired by Nobel Prize winner Naguib Mahfouz's novel Dreams.
 
The plot evolves around Zakaria, who was forbidden by his doctor to eat chicken. Fearing the consequences of breaking the rules, he completely abstains from any chicken product, even after his death!
 
Except for Friday, when there are only three films showing, every day of the fair there are seven different films from the 18 screened, which visitors can see free of charge.
 
There is also the option of choosing a film to watch, but it comes at a small price.
 
"We have the same format this year as last year. In the afternoon, people can choose what film to see if they buy a book at the fair and prove it by bringing us the receipt," explained Al Janahi.
 
The Buy a Book, Watch a Film option is an attempt to bring books and the cinema closer, so visitors who purchase specialised books on cinema from participating publishing houses may choose one of the 18 films to watch anytime between 2pm and 5pm.
 
ADIBF goes on at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre until May 3.
 
silvia@khaleejtimes.com


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