International Oriental Film Festival of Geneva: Under the Sun of Damascus

“112 Movies, 28 Countries are available for audience in the 9th Edition of the International Oriental Film Festival of Geneva from the 4th of April 2014 in a festive and friendly atmosphere. During the 10 days, Switzerland and neighboring France will travel to the heart of Orient”, announced Mr. Tahar Houchi, Artistic Director of the festival.

This new edition, supported by the world-famous writer and poet Tahar Ben Jelloun as its Honorary President, has all the ingredients to be an entertaining but also very inspiring one. The program encompasses (30 long fictions, 50 short fictions, 32 documentary films) from 28 different countries. Discussions and debates with more than 60 high-level guests are also scheduled

Affreux Cupidies et Stupides by Ibrahim Letaief

Focus on Syria

Through the special selection Under the Sun of Damascus dealing with the wounds of the Syrian people, FIFOG 2014 aims to explore a topic of current international political relevance. The selected movies present new approaches to the analysis of the situation in Syria and revisit the role of film as an instrument for peace and information.

The beginning of the competition in the categories “documentary films, long-fictions and Critics Prize” has been launched respectively: BOXE AVEC ELLE by LATIFA ROBBANA DOGHRI and SALEM TRABLESI / Tunisia, L’HÉROÏNE by CHÉRIF AGGOUNE / Algeria, and MAY IN THE SUMMER by CHERIEN DABIS / Jordan, USA, Qatar.

In the category “long fictions”, 10 movies dealing with various topics of current social and political relevance have been selected. Moreover, 10 documentary films offering new insights into subjects such as the conditions of women, the Syrian crisis and the Arab Spring are shortlisted for the competition. For the Critics Prize, 8 movies will be reviewed by a jury composed of three journalists and professional film reviewers.

My Last Friend by Joud Said

Mr. Sofiane Bouchaïb, General Coordinator said, “this year, the festival will focus on the body, both in its individual and social dimensions. Far away from the polished and normalized images of the human body, the selected movies raise awareness on topics such as handicap, desire, power, ageing, injury or expropriation. Since individuals always evolve within a given socio-political context, this 9th Edition also wants to give a fresh look at the changes that are currently shaping Oriental societies and their consequences in the West”.

Through the original and adapted FI-FON-FAN program, FIFOG also aims to introduce children and young people to other socio-cultural realities. Four screenings dedicated to childhood are scheduled: Wednesday afternoon and Sunday morning around an oriental brunch. Moreover, FIFOG tries to strengthen the use of cinema as an educational tool by organizing screenings, workshops and debates in collaboration with schools from the region.

Finally, several art exhibitions on the human body and the aesthetics of security as well as a public debate entitled « Cinema and Revolution: the Case of Egypt » will be held in conjunction with the festival.