Yemeni Film Days kick off in Amman

AMMAN — Yemeni Film Days will kick off for the first time in Amman on Sunday, with movies talking about the heritage of Yemen. 

This is the first time an event dedicated to Yemeni movies is held in the capital. The Royal Film Commission (RFC)-Jordan has showcased Yemeni movies before, but never with a sole focus on the country's productions, according to Nada Doumani, RFC communication and cultural programming manager. 

 “There is a heritage that is burning in Yemen and, also, the human situation is truly horrifying there,” she told The Jordan Times in a recent interview. 

The RFC official said that the movies were brought to Jordan in cooperation with the Yemeni NGO "Innovative Yemen", adding that the screened works are all award-winning movies.

“These are good quality movies carrying important messages,” Doumani added. 

"Karama Has No Walls" is the first movie to be screened on Sunday evening. Described as an "eye-witness account" of the Friday of Karama on 18th of March 2011, the movie is captured through the lences of two cameramen and told through the stories of two fathers, according to the organisers.

 Also on Sunday, a second movie, titled "The Mulberry House", will be shown at the RFC. The movie talks about Sara, a woman who grew up in Yemen to a Yemeni father and a Scottish mother, and who decided, at 17, to finally move to Scotland, the organisers' statement said. 

Ten years later — in 2011 — Sara returns to Yemen as a different person, ready to face the home of her past and to reconnect with her long-severed roots. But, against all personal expectations, she returns to find her family and country teetering on the brink of a revolution, the statement added.

The film has toured more than 50 international film festivals and received the Jury Prize at This Human World Film Festival in Vienna and the Audience Favourite Award at Berwick Film Festival. It was also nominated for the MUHR Film Award at Dubai International Film Festival and the AEGAN Film Awards at Thessaloniki Film Festival.

For short movie enthusiasts, Monday will be designed for Yemeni Short Films and it will be followed by a discussion with the director Sara Ishaq, one of the instructors at “Comra” Film Camp, and with Hosam Omran, editor of the film “Departure”. 

On Tuesday, the audience members will be able to watch the Yemeni movie "A New Day in Old Sanaa". 

Described as an "achingly romantic tale", the movie tells the story of a handsome young man named Tariq, who is about to marry Bilqis, the eldest daughter of a prominent and powerful judge. As he wanders the ancient city of Sanaa late one night, he spots a beautiful young woman dancing in the street and falls madly in love with her. Before long, the young groom must choose between following his heart and protecting his family's honour, the organisers' statement said. 

Filmed entirely on location in the ancient city of Sanaa, this is the first feature ever to come out of Yemen. 

"Socotra: The Hidden Land" is the last movie to be screened on Wednesday evening.  

This 52-minute documentary reveals how the physical distinctiveness of Socotra has shaped the islanders’ lives and great spiritual wealth over centuries. The life and customs of this isolated society are told by some of the most remarkable characters on the island in their own words. 

Doumani noted that a great number of Yemenis are expected to attend the screenings at RFC premises in Jabal Amman.