Strong showing for Jordanian cinema expected at Dubai International Film Festival

AMMAN — Jordan this year continues to be a presence at the prestigious Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF), with seven films co-produced by the Kingdom participating in DIFF's 13th edition. 

DIFF, which opened on Wednesday, is showcasing 156 feature films, shorts and documentaries from 55 countries, according to a statement from the Royal Film Commission (RFC).

Two among the seven selected films for the festival are competing for the Muhr Feature Films Competition: “Blessed Benefit”, directed by Mahmoud Al Massad, is about a construction worker who gets tangled up in an unfortunate business deal leading him to prison. 

Ahmad is worried about an ambiguous future, but he soon realises that life in prison might be better than the one he has outside. 

This film has received support from the Jordan Film Fund managed by the RFC, and it is the debut narrative film by the Jordanian director known for several documentaries. 

The world premiere of “A Memory in Khaki”, by Syrian director Alfoz Tanjour, narrates the story of the author and other Syrian characters who were forced to leave the country because of their beliefs.

In addition, three shorts — having their world premiere — are lined up to compete for the Muhr Short Films Competition. 

Starring Hind Sabry, “The Parrot” — by young Jordanian filmmakers Darin Sallam and Amjad Al Rasheed — tells the story of a Mizrahi Jewish family from Tunisia trying to settle into their new life in Haifa in 1948. 

But they are disturbed by a rather annoying house guest left behind by the former residents: a big blue parrot. 

The film has won the Robert Bosch Stiftung’s Co-Production Prize for Short Fiction Film (2015), in which the RFC is a partner.

Within the same competition, director Ahmad Saleh shares with the audience the stop motion movie “Ayny” that has recently won a gold medal at this year’s Student Academy Awards. 

The danger of war is depicted through the eyes of two boys who share a love for music. 

Moreover, the short dramedy “Five Boys and a Wheel”, by Said Zagha, is also competing. 

Set in Aqaba, the film follows a school teacher (Ali Suleiman) as he tries to gain his young son's confidence and admiration. 

When the boy gets into trouble with the neighbours, things get out of control, putting at stake the father’s principles and morals. 

This film has also been supported by the Jordan Film Fund.

Two other Jordanian co-produced films will be screened at DIFF's “Arabian Nights” Programme. 

Director Mijke de Jong will have the Middle-Eastern premiere of “Layla M.”, which follows young Layla, born in Amsterdam of Moroccan origin, as her religious commitment intensifies and she consequently joins a group of extremists. 

The film was shot partly in Jordan. 

“Solitaire”, a Lebanese-Jordanian-Egyptian production by Sophie Boutros, will also be showcased within the same category. 

Commenting on the Jordanian presence at DIFF, George David, managing director of the RFC, said it is proof that Jordan offers an enabling environment for quality cinematic productions, thanks to the facilities in the country, the free and comprehensive production services provided by the RFC and the availability of qualified crew, according to the statement.