Arab Cinema Faces New Wave of Challenges
ABU DHABI: Arab cinema with strong roots in Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria as well as Egypt, which has a full-fledged film industry, has been producing films with a distinctive stamp. During the past few years, the industry has been witnessing the arrival of a new generation actors and filmmakers who are greatly inspired by Hollywood.
However, a group of industry professionals who participated in a panel discussion entitled “Moving beyond the Arab world: Acting styles in films from the region” held at the Abu Dhabi Film Festival on Sunday, said that there is no need to panic because the new wave will be able to make any change only if it survives for two-three decades from now.
Syriana -famed Hollywood actor Bashar Atiyat said that the Arab cinema can still be divided into two parts — the Egyptian school of cinema and the new generation cinema that is following Hollywood.
“During the past few years a new trend has started with the arrival of American film schools in Jordan and the GCC countries, while a French film institute is coming up in Lebanon. But, it is still in its initial stages, and to make an impact on the old school of regional cinema it will have to survive at least 20-25 years,” he said.
He said that there are four strong centres of cinema in the Arab world. While Morocco is close to French cinema, filmmakers in Tunisia and Algeria are more inspired by Hollywood productions. But Egyptian cinema still holds sway with its strong film industry.
Khaled Abol Naga, the heartthrob star actor of the new generation of “Young Egyptian Cinema”, expressed hopes that the world is coming closer thanks to technology. The line dividing various film industries will blur sooner rather than later.
“The language of cinema is feelings, it is not English or Arabic. If you have a worthwhile film, it will reach the audience,” he said.
Speaking on the differences between films produced by various Arab countries, he said that even in Egypt, distributing a film with a Palestinian accent is difficult. “But that is going to change. The change is happening thanks to the internet. People are watching international cinema. The real cinema is the one that conveys the feelings,” he added.
“Do you think cameras record only lights, shades and colours? No. Cameras record feelings and transfer these to the audience. These are the sensitivities that we need to work on,” he added.
However, there appeared to be a vast difference between the panellists on allowing vulgarity and violence in the name of adapting to the new wave inspired by Western filmmakers.
Bashar Atiyat, known as “The Bedouin in Hollywood” due to his Bedouin origins, said that he never accepted a role that contradicted his beliefs.
“As a professional I have a sacred responsibility to deliver a message, but I will never do a film that will challenge my integrity. There is always some other role to play,” he added.
However Khaled, who made an impressive debut in Hollywood with Civic Duty (2006) in which he gave an outstanding and compelling performance by convincingly portraying the difficult character of Gabe Hassan, said actors should adapt to the role.
“I do not have to leave anything to get something. When you are in a role, you adapt with the role. If you drop everything you only hold the worst character,” he added.
Cairo-based film producer Mohammed Hafzy said that Arab films were quite open and for long time there were no barriers. But now the society has become too judgmental.
“Like anything else movie is also an artistic medium. The unit should have an open discussion and I am sure it will pave the way for an artistic expression,” he added.
Imran Mojib