The last MedFest film nights were held in different Egyptian governorates, as Port Said Cultural Center witnessed huge attendance, in the presence of actress Ola Roshdy, director Nadine Khan, and consultant psychiatrist Dr. Nabil El-Kot.
During the event, four films were screened: "Zaffa" (Egypt), "A Calling From the Desert to the Sea" (Jordan-Germany), "Group" (America), and "Into Reverse" (Egypt / comedy).
Director of Sunday Cinema at Bibliotheca Alexandrina, filmmaker Ahmed Nabil, moderated a panel discussion by the trio.
-Actress Ola Roshdy:
Each film represents a special case. Each spectator gets influenced by a particular thing. I got a special feeling from each film. Regarding "Zaffa", it tackles societal pressure on people to unwillingly enter into certain relationships through family and friends. I was struck by the scene of the father when he said, "It is hard to love someone and marry him. Do you want to live alone?". There is a problem with the societal perceptions we grew up with. What would happen if a person did not marry?
In the internet era, everyone can easily learn anything. No one is going to save you, except you. You can create a film using your mobile phone. You can try more than once to write. The most important thing is not to give up.
Developing characters has become very deep. Writings and research make works appear real.
I was influenced by the film I watched when I was young. Indeed, each child has his own personality. There is no one role for everyone.
Group watching is a very special experience that makes you live with the characters in all details. The energy of the people around is distinguished. Basically, there is a connection between health and cinema, for all characters have psychological or health problems.
Director Nadine Khan:
I don't think there should be messages in films, like gender-based violence. The characters deliver these messages in different details. Each character has its own conflict.
Centralisation is bad in all topics, not only in art. I hope this will be changed one day. "MedFest Cinema Nights" highlight the need for change. Thus, these events should be supported. Challenges are everywhere, not only in Cairo. We must continue and never give up.
Group watching is totally different from individual watching. She doesn't like watching films with the audience all the time. It only happens when the film is interactive. Generally-speaking, each experience feels different.
There is a significant correlation between health and cinema. All characters highlight health or psychological struggles. Basically, each person interacts differently.
Relationships play a vital role in each human's life; whether family or friends. They are regarded as a major factor in shaping a person's psyche. They also affect the life path. Indeed, everyone deals differently with relationships.
The most influential relationship in cinema is "the Wife of an Important Man" between Ahmed Zaki and Mervat Amin, as well as other relationships, most of which are from her father's films; director Mohamed Khan.
Dr. Nabil El-Kot:
I'm pleased with these films, for they highlight the themes of violence and masculinity in all their forms. The first film tells the story of a young man who doesn't want to marry and feels terrified. That's a new idea, as the women are the ones who refuse to get married.
Anger is a common characteristic in all screened films. It comes out of an unconscious part of the brain and leads to thought stopping. We do certain things and then regret doing them. Hence, the only thing we can do is to return to consciousness quickly.
Objecting to films due to the Eastern view indicates cultural diversity. Global trends are diversified. However, there is a human bond that unites everyone; violence. "Group" is a documentary that tackles the idea of violence when it comes to American judiciary.
Group watching deepens the viewers' experience and puts them in a single spot. Mental health is an essential issue in cinema, for it sheds light on important messages and enters the mind quickly. It also makes us live an intellectual and physical experience with films.
Filmmaking in Egypt is not a piece of cake. It is not limited to location, directing or acting. Indeed, it is a sophisticated process and requires in-depth research.
View this post on Instagram
Follow the latest news on Google News
