Arab Film Festival April 18th-27th
All films are FREE and begin at 8:00 p.m.
For more information contact the Arab Students' Association at: asomadison@yahoo.com
Monday, April 18th TERRORISM AND THE KEBAB in the Red Gym 2nd floor: Free Popcorn!
TERRORISM AND THE KEBAB Is a farce denouncing the absurdity of bureaucracy in modern Egypt. Adel Imam, Egypt's leading comic actor, is a father who wants to move his son to a school closer to home. He goes to El-Mugamaa, to pick up the required documents. Frustrated by the lack of response, he ends up attacking a fundamentalist official and, when police respond to the situation, a machine gun accidentally finds its way into Imam's hands. As a terrorist, his demands to the Minister are simple: Shish Kebab made of high-class lamb. After having a hearty meal with his hostages, however, his demands become more political.
Wednesday, April 20th: TV'S PROMISED LAND in 1651 Humanities (A Madison Debut!!)
Director Nicholas Dembowski creates a clever montage of found footage from a variety of films and media sources. The accumulated evidence powerfully asserts that Western media has long demonized a catch-all "Arab/Muslim world" via selective coverage and dehumanizing imagery that boosts the "good vs. evil" rhetoric of politicians and pundits like George W. Bush, Colin Powell, Condoleezza Rice and Bill O'Reilly. A MUST SEE!!
Monday, April 25th: LIVING IN PARADISE in 1651 Humanities
Set in France in 1961-1962 during the Algerian War, this thought-provoking film examines the lives of North African immigrants trying to find a place in the social system of Western Europe. The film focuses on Lakhdar, an Algerian immigrant worker living in the Nanterre shantytown of Paris. When he can no longer bear living without his wife and children, he brings them to live with him in France. Once there, Lakhdar's relationship with his wife changes as she joins other immigrants in a political movement to resist French oppression.
Winner: Best First Film, Venice Film Festival
Wednesday, April 27: DOOR TO THE SKY in the Red Gym, 2nd floor
Nadia, a young Moroccan emigre, returns from Paris to Fez to visit her dying father. At his funeral, she is overcome by the voice of Karima chanting the Koran. A powerful friendship develops between the two women as they decide to turn the father's palace into a Muslim women's shelter. It is the first North African film to address the social and economic changes as proposed by a spiritual Muslim woman on a quest to preserve her cultural and religious identity.
A special thank you to our co-sponsors: The Wisconsin Union Directorate, MCSC, People Opposing Prejudice, Al-Awda Wisconsin and the MCR division of UW Housing. Also, to the African Languages and Literature Department for their assistance.