São Paulo – Brazilian and Latin American films with Arab themes unseen in Brazil shall be exhibited in the city of São Paulo as of February 03. The productions shall feature at the Premiere ICArabe, film festival which marks the start of the tenth anniversary celebrations of the Institute of Arab Culture (Icarabe) of São Paulo.
“The idea behind the Premiere ICArabe is to create an opportunity for launching films. There is an increasing number of production with Arab themes,” says Geraldo Campos, cultural director at the Icarabe and curator of the project. “It is also an opportunity to start debates and give more drive to the year’s Arab film calendar,” he stated.
Campos explains that there is great demand by the public for Arab productions, but many people cannot follow the entire program of the Arab World Film Festival, event held by the institute for eight years.
The opening film at Premiere ICArabe is “I Wasn’t Always Dressed Like” This, by Brazilian director Betty Martins. The film approaches the use of the veil among women in the United Kingdom. In 30 minutes the film tells the story of three women who have opted to wear the veil. One of them is French and has converted to Islam.
After the screening, which takes place at 8:00 pm on February 03, at the Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil, there will be a debate with anthropologist Francirosy Campos, coordinator of the Anthropology in Islamic and Arab Contexts Group (Gracias) at the Department of Psychology at the University of São Paulo. The film may also be seen from February 05 to 09, at the same venue.
“This debate on the first film shall focus on discussing prejudice, stereotypes and representation [of Arabs] in the media. The idea is to approach the issue of women, the veil, to debate on that,” emphasizes Campos.
He says he is also working on taking the exhibit to other cities, after São Paulo. “Our aim is to expand the Institute’s activities to other cities in Brazil. People call us to organize film festivals. We want to promote Arab films with the Brazilian public,” he says. The list of films to be shown at the event is not final yet.
According to the director, Icarabe is preparing a series of other events to celebrate the Institute’s tenth anniversary, but the program may not be released yet.
Service
Premiere ICArabe – film exhibition I Wasn’t Always Dressed Like This, by Betty Martins
Opening: February 03, at 8:00 pm, followed by debate with anthropologist Francirosy Campos
Showing: February 05 to 09 at 12:30 pm
Venue: CCBB – Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil – Rua Álvares Penteado, 112 | Centro | São Paulo | Tel. (55 11) 3113-3651 / 3113-3652 | www.bb.com.br/cultura
Price: free (guests must collect their tickets up to one hour before viewing time)
Seats: 70
*Translated by Silvia Lindsey
