PART OF MIZNA'S TWIN CITIES ARAB FILM FESTIVAL
Post-show Discussion with local Arab artists
The 1:00pm presentation on September 30 of Yallah! Underground is a Free Screening for students, sponsored by the Minnesota State Arts Board. It is currently FULL.
During the Arab Spring, young artists and musicians throughout the Arab world had high hopes for the future. Many took part in protests and made creative pieces to express their aspirations. However, after years of turmoil and instability, young Arabs are increasingly torn between feelings of disillusion and a vague hope for a better future. Yallah! Underground follows some of the most influential and progressive artists in Lebanon, Palestine, and Egypt from 2009 to 2013. The film documents their works, dreams, and fears in a time of great change for Arab societies and discusses the role of art and music in that change.
Director Biography
Farid Eslam was born in Germany and graduated from FAMU in Prague. He has worked in Europe and the Middle East as director, producer, and creative director, making commercials as well as award-winning music videos and documentaries. His work focuses on youth culture and social issues. His debut documentary Istanbul United premiered at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in 2014. It has since screened at international film festivals in Munich, Istanbul, Bergen, London (Raindance), Poland (Atlantyk), and more. It has been distributed in cinemas throughout Germany and Switzerland, where it has received critical acclaim.
PRESENTED WITH SUPPORT BY
TWIN CITIES ARAB FILM FESTIVAL
Mizna presents the eleventh Twin Cities Arab Film Festival in partnership with the Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul. The Arab Film Fest showcases modern Arab cinema, featuring debut screenings of independent narrative, documentary, and experimental features and shorts.