Riyadh, The Saudi Film Commission will hold the first Film Criticism Conference in Riyadh, on November 7-12, aiming to introduce film criticism to a wider audience and to gather critics and cinephiles to exchange views on the issue, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of Culture.
The conference is expected to explore cinema from its broader perspectives and concepts under the title “Beyond the Frame”. It is the culmination of the Film Commission’s effort to create a cultural exchange platform for critics, academics and cinephiles, to enable them to see film criticism from different points of view.
Film Commission CEO Eng. Abdullah Al Eyaf, said: “Through this year’s Film Criticism Conference and Forum Series, the commission aims to stimulate the criticism movement to complement the rapid growth in the production, exhibition and distribution of Saudi, Arab, and international films in the Kingdom.”
He added: “The film industry’s growth across all its segments contributes to realizing the goals of the National Cultural Strategy, boosts Saudi culture and enhances its presence at international platforms and global events.”
Al Eyaf commended the continuous support from and keen interest of the leaders of the cultural ecosystem, represented by Minister of Culture Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud, who follow the wise leadership’s vision of enhancing the Kingdom’s cultural presence across all fields.
According to the release, several discussions are slated to be held at the conference, including a talk by director Yousry Nasrallah on “the relation between filmmaking and film criticism”. The conference also features live on-stage dialogues between figures in the fields of film criticism and filmmaking, including Brazilian director Kleber Mendonça Filho.
Professor of English literature Dr. Saad al-Bazai will make a presentation on the critical approach between cinema and storytelling. Indian film critic Shubhra Gupta will present a professional course on film criticism as a career.
An art exhibition that offers interactive experiences and workshops will be held during the conference, and various international films will be screened during the event.
The agenda of the conference includes a review of the fundamentals of film criticism and the various experiences that enable critics to observe what is not captured by cameras while recognizing what is symbolized in cinema by implicit connotations and artistic references.
Ten films, chosen for artistic and cinematic analysis based on their rich content, will be discussed by directors from various countries. The conference also includes activities, art exhibitions, dedicated panel discussions and workshops, providing a comprehensive understanding of different manifestations of arts and culture in cinema and determining their role in the big picture drawn by the film.
The event is held in collaboration with the Diplomatic Quarter of The Royal Commission for Riyadh City and a media partnership with Sollywood, the leading news platform for cinema.
Source: Saudi Press Agency