ARAB FILM FESTIVAL

The title the Arab Film Festival this year Revolutions, Romance and Realities says it all. The festival, which will run in Parramatta from the 30th of June to the 3rd of July, will open with the film The Cry of an Ant. Fresh from the Cannes the film will transport festival goers to Tahrir Square in the days Egyptian revolution in January. The film explores the struggles of Egyptian daily life that lead to the revolution and the toppling of the dictator. However it is not all revolution, the festival features films that will take viewers from Morocco to Iraq. Son of Babylon, which will close the festival, has swept up prizes at film festivals all around the world this year. The film take viewers to northern Iraq in 2003 two weeks after the fall of Saddam Hussein and a 12-year-old boy’s journey with his grandmother through the shattered country. In between these two great opening and closing films the festival will showcase many more films, including films from Australian film makes from an Arab background. It will also host forums and events, which will discuss the effect of new media and the affect it has on revolutions in the Middle East. The festival is always enjoyable but recent events in the Middle East make it a must see this year. (FM)