CAIRO: Sudanese filmmakers who celebrated the end of stifling restrictions following the ouster of autocrat Omar Bashir have won multiple international awards but are yet to enjoy the same recognition at home.
Cinema languished in the North African country through three decades of authoritarian rule by Bashir.
But Sudanese took to the streets to demand freedom, peace and social justice, and Bashir’s ironfisted rule came to an end in a palace coup by the army in April 2019.
“We started realizing how much our society needs our dreams,” said director Amjad Abou Alala.
His 2019 film “You Will Die at Twenty” was both Sudan’s first Oscar entry and the first Sudanese film broadcast on Netflix, winning prizes at international film festivals including Italy’s Venice and Egypt’s El Gouna.
The film tells the story of a young man a mystic predicts will die at age 20. As Sudan undergoes a precarious political transition, the country’s filmmakers have found more space to operate, Alala said.
Young filmmakers act “without the complexes, the lack of self-confidence or the frustration that we suffered in previous generations,” he added.
Talal Afifi, director of the Khartoum-based Sudan Film Factory program, has trained hundreds of young people in filmmaking.
Bashir’s government “aborted all cultural and artistic initiatives and fought ... diversity and freedom of opinion, through policies of alleged Islamization and Arabization,” he said.
Afifi began work long before the 2019 revolution, with advances in digital camera technology making filmmaking far more accessible.
The filmmaker attended a 2008 short film festival in Munich, where the winning film — an Iraqi documentary shot on a handy-cam — inspired him to return home and set up a training center and production house.
In the past decades, the Film Factory has organized some 30 screenwriting, directing and editing workshops — and produced more than 60 short films, honored in international festivals from Brazil to Japan.
Afifi says the roots of Sudan’s innovative cinema was born from the “hard work dating from before” Bashir’s overthrow, when many cinemas were closed.
Today, cinemas are allowed — big-budget Hollywood films, as well as Indian and Egyptian movies are popular — but moves to reopen them have been frustrated by restrictions to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus.
The Sudanese National Museum organized screenings of films, including “You Will Die at Twenty,” but they were not screened in large theaters.
Filmmakers still face challenges. Hajjooj Kuka, director of the acclaimed 2014 “Beats of the Antonov” was jailed for two months last year for causing a “public nuisance” — for what he said was an acting workshop.
Other Sudanese films have also garnered international attention, including the 2019 documentary “Talking About Trees” by Suhaib Gasmelbari, which tells the story of four elderly Sudanese filmmakers with a passion for movies.
The quartet and their “Sudanese Film Club” work to reopen an open-air cinema in Omdurman, the city across the Nile from the capital Khartoum.
Post revolution, Sudanese cinema struggles to find recognition at home
https://arab.news/nm738
Post revolution, Sudanese cinema struggles to find recognition at home
- Bashir’s government aborted all cultural and artistic initiatives and fought ... diversity and freedom of opinion, says Talal Afifi, director of the Khartoum-based Sudan Film Factory program
Brazilian actress Sabrina Petraglia bridges cultures through film
DUBAI: Brazilian actress Sabrina Petraglia, known for her roles in TV and cinema, has found a new home and purpose in the Middle East.
Since moving to Dubai in January 2023 with her husband and three children, Petraglia has embraced the region’s culture and is making inroads in her attempt to forge cross cultural understanding.
“I never imagined loving the Middle East this much. Whatever I had imagined about the Middle East was totally wrong. The life here is incredible, safe, so beautiful. I like the mentality here. I feel that here your dreams are possible if you work hard,” she told Arab News.
Petraglia created her latest project, “Ocean of Mothers,” in Dubai in January, in a move that she says was the first time a Brazilian production hit the silver screen in the UAE.
The film follows three friends — Thais, Erika and Zilda — who connect through motherhood in Santos, Brazil. Despite their busy lives, their friendship becomes a source of strength and support. The film touches on themes like losing one’s identity as a mother, feeling overwhelmed, mental health struggles, and the importance of having a support network.
“We started by booking a room for 60 people,” she said, then the number of guests kept increasing until it reached around 400 guests. “When I saw the cinema full of people and a lot of women from different nationalities, I cried. I could not believe it,” she said.
“I saw a lot of support from women here, because the film is about women. It was so precious for me,” she added.
Petraglia is keen to foster collaboration between Brazilian and Arab artists.
“This is one big dream of mine to work with Saudi filmmakers and show Brazilian culture here and sharing Middle Eastern stories with Brazilians also,” she explained.
“Here, I can see big opportunities, and I’d like to show not just to Brazilians, but to the world, what it’s like here. The cinema is the best way to do this,” she said.
Inspired by her interactions with women in the UAE, Petraglia said she is working on new projects that challenge stereotypes about motherhood and female empowerment.
“For now, it is all only on paper, but I am looking for good partners in Brazil. I am speaking to big channels in Brazil,” she said.
Ahmed Helmy to be honored at two film festivals
DUBAI: Egyptian actor Ahmed Helmy is set to be honored at the 4th edition of the Hollywood Arab Film Festival in California and the Malmo Arab Film Festival in Sweden in April.
The actor, who started his TV career in 1993 before he landed a role in 1998 film “Aboud Ala El Hedoud,” will make an appearance at both events.
The Hollywood Arab Film Festival will take place in Glendale, California, from April 9-13, while the 15th edition of the Malmo Arab Film Festival will run from April 29-May 5.
Helmy, 55, is a comedic actor known for his roles in “Excuse My French” (2014) and “Sorry To Disturb” (2008). He also made a guest appearance in 2024’s Egyptian-Saudi co-production “The Tale of Daye’s Family,” by filmmaker Karim El-Shenawy.
Princess Rajwa, Crown Prince Hussein attend iftar with orphaned children in Amman
DUBAI: Princess Rajwa Al-Hussein of Jordan and Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah visited Children’s Museum Jordan this week to attend an iftar event with orphans.
The royal couple spent time with the children and were photographed playing games, sharing a meal and engaging in conversation with the young attendees. They also took time to pose for pictures with the children.
“Rajwa and I were overjoyed to share today’s iftar with children from orphan care homes,” the crown prince shared on Instagram. “Today’s iftar was filled with love and positive energy with our wonderful children. May God bless them.”
For the occasion, Saudi-born Princess Rajwa wore the Isabella brown flora kaftan by Egyptian-helmed fashion label Bambah. The ensemble was styled with a Fendi Peekaboo ISeeU Petite beige padded leather bag.
Crown Prince Hussein kept it casual, opting for a black polo shirt and cargo pants.
Last week, the crown prince took to Instagram to share a heartwarming post for Mother’s Day, dedicated to both his wife, Princess Rajwa, who is the mother of their 7-month-old daughter Iman, and his mother, Queen Rania.
“To my beloved mother and my loving wife, your presence fills our lives with joy, and your love is the true meaning of giving. Happy Mother’s Day,” he wrote.
The post featured two touching photos — one of the crown prince with his mother and baby Iman, and another of Princess Rajwa playing with their daughter.
The couple welcomed their first baby in August.
At her birth, King Abdullah posted a tribute to his granddaughter on social media. Translated from Arabic, the post reads: “I thank God for giving us our first granddaughter Iman bint Hussein. I congratulate beloved Hussein and Rajwa for their newborn.
“We ask God to raise her well and protect her for her parents. You have lit up our family.”
Queen Rania also took to social media to write” “Praise be to God for His greatest gifts … You have brightened our lives with our beloved granddaughter Iman. May God keep her with us. Congratulations to Hussein and Rajwa, and may God fill your lives with blessings and contentment.”
Ramadan through the lens of art
- Holy month inspires creative process
- Themes of faith and introspection reflected in artwork
RIYADH: The holy month of Ramadan offers profound creative inspiration with its themes of faith, renewal and introspection, three Saudi artists have told Arab News.
Norah Al-Ruwaili, Manar Al-Otaibi and Sultan Al-Qahtani discussed how Ramadan shapes their artistic expression.
For Al-Ruwaili, the holy month allows her to engage with her work more deeply. “Ramadan naturally slows everything down, creating space for reflection and intentionality,” she said.
“That shift influences my art. I become more mindful of the themes I explore and the emotions I want to convey.”
Al-Otaibi echoed this sentiment, describing how Ramadan transforms her approach to creativity.
“Ramadan deeply influences my artistic process by bringing a sense of stillness, introspection and spirituality,” she said.
Usually warmth is presented in the sunny days. In Ramadan, nights lights are vibrant and reflect warmth.
Sultan Al-Qahtani
For Al-Qahtani, a photographer, Ramadan shifts his focus to nighttime settings and the beauty of lights in the holy month. “Usually warmth is presented in the sunny days. In Ramadan, nights lights are vibrant and reflect warmth,” he said.
Al-Ruwaili finds herself “drawn to themes of stillness, spirituality and inner transformation.
“Patterns, calligraphy and elements inspired by prayer mats or architecture often appear in my work, like in my Mihrab paintings.
“I also love incorporating symbolism, whether through floral elements that represent spiritual blossoming or color choices that evoke serenity and depth,” she said.
Al-Otaibi uses “vibrant colors and intricate patterns” to express the emotions of the holy month.
For Al-Qahtani, Ramadan photography records the community spirit; he captures crescent moons, street scenes and family gatherings as central elements.
Al-Ruwaili said that spirituality and creativity are inseparable during Ramadan: “Creativity and spirituality aren’t separate for me, they intertwine. My artistic process becomes quieter and more intentional during Ramadan, almost like a form of meditation.”
But balancing creative work with fasting and responsibilities is a challenge, Al-Otaibi said. “It can be challenging, especially with work and other responsibilities. However, I often feel refreshed and inspired after iftar, which helps me reconnect with my creative flow,” she added.
Al-Qahtani experiences creative moments spontaneously, often between prayers and meals: “Creative moments are not planned but sometimes it can be harnessed late at night between prayers and meals.”
Representing the true spirit of Ramadan in visual art is not always easy. For Al-Ruwaili, moving beyond traditional imagery like lanterns and crescents to capture the feeling of Ramadan is her biggest challenge.
“Ramadan is deeply personal and spiritual, so visually representing its essence without being overly literal can be challenging,” she said.
“I try to move beyond traditional symbols like lanterns or crescents and focus more on the feeling of Ramadan: The sense of peace, renewal and contemplation.”
Al-Otaibi also struggles to visually depict the intangible elements of the holy month. “One challenge is translating the atmosphere of Ramadan into visual art, through key elements like the moon, fanous lights and family gatherings.
For Al-Qahtani, the challenge lies in capturing aesthetic nighttime lighting without overexposing the image: “Since most of the pictures I take are in the night, (I need) proper lighting — aesthetically pleasing lights, not just lots of lights.”
Al-Ruwaili’s Mihrab digital paintings hold a deep personal meaning: “My Mihrab digital paintings are probably the clearest example. They were inspired by the patterns found in prayer mats, which hold so much significance in daily spiritual practice.
“To me, they represent a sacred space; a personal retreat where stillness and connection meet,” she said.
Al-Otaibi created a painting of a family gathering during suhoor, which “represents togetherness, tradition and the quiet beauty of Ramadan nights.”
Al-Qahtani’s photography showcases Ramadan’s lights and the communal spirit.
Through painting, photography and digital art, the three artists capture the essence of the holy month, reflecting a period that is both personal and universally meaningful.
Sotheby’s to auction rare Islamic arms and armor collection
DUBAI: Sotheby’s is set to showcase a collection of Islamic arms and armor, representing more than 500 years of history and spanning more than 100 lots in April in London, Dubai and at the biannual Arts of the Islamic World & India.
The collection presents the artistic traditions of numerous Islamic dynasties, from Spain to Indonesia, and is the result of over 50 years of study and acquisition by scholar-collector Philippe Gilles René Missillier (1949-2022).
The auction will take place on April 29 at Sotheby’s London, followed by the biannual Arts of the Islamic World & India sale on April 30.
Prior to the auctions, highlights from the collection will be exhibited at Sotheby’s Dubai gallery in Dubai International Financial Center from April 7-11.
The collection highlights the technological evolution of weaponry, tracing developments from the equestrian age of chivalry through the gunpowder revolution and into the modern era.
The items showcase skilled craftsmanship, featuring vegetal and geometric patterns combined with calligraphy. Similar motifs appear across different weapons, highlighting the connections between Islamic art across time and place.
Notable items include rare Mamluk and Aqqoyunlu pieces, as well as examples from the Safavid, Ottoman and Mughal empires. Highlights include artifacts from the Siege of Vienna’s Turkenbeute and the personal swords of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan and French army officer Claude Martin.
Missillier, who assembled the collection over half a century, immersed himself in his field, visiting museums, attending auctions and studying reference works.
His collection was exhibited in Paris in 1988 as part of Splendour des Armes Orientales, the largest exhibition of its kind in the 20th and 21st centuries.
This upcoming sale marks the first public viewing of the collection since that exhibition.
