The Sawt Foundation has launched its cinematic project, aiming to reintroduce Yemenis to this field and cultural space – closed to them for nearly two decades, contributing to their isolation from the world. The foundation has already screened five films, with many more to come.
Amid significant challenges, foremost among them social customs and the ongoing war – coupled with near-total consensus among key actors to oppose it – the foundation is attempting to open a window of hope. It seeks to break barriers and translate numerous ideas into films despite these obstacles.
Funding Challenges
Samah Al-Shagdri states that while the idea of reviving cinema isn’t new, securing a donor before implementation was the breakthrough. She adds: “Work on the idea began nearly six months ago, during which the organization sought international donors to support the cinema project. However, the war, political instability, and lack of basic services hindered its practical implementation. Ultimately, the idea and its necessity prevailed, and the project materialized on the ground.” The foundation promotes screenings through its activists and social media pages.
The “Cinema Saصt” project extends beyond Wednesday film screenings. It includes audience discussions and critical papers presented by cinema specialists. Implementing this vision was far from easy, with the foundation overcoming immense difficulties before realizing the dream.
Cultural Mission
Samah explains that Sawt Foundation, established in 2010, had clear cultural and media objectives: “Our profound belief that culture is the sole instrument for peaceful change – built on visions, ideas, and discussions that lead to truth – drove this. Hence came the cinema project, which we failed to promote in prior years due to funders’ fears about introducing cinema to a conservative traditional society like Yemen. Everything cinema-related was gradually eradicated until all theaters closed, not just in Sana’a, but also in Taiz, Dhamar, Al-Bayda, and other governorates.”
Screenings
The inaugural week featured a documentary produced by the foundation titled “Yemeni Women Making Change.” Weekly screenings followed, including:
- The Intouchables (2011 French film, France’s most-viewed film that year)
- The Giver (2014 social sci-fi film)
- Redefining War (feminist documentary on injustice, oppression, and wartime violence against women)
- A Separation (2012 Iranian film, Academy Award winner for Best Foreign Language Film)
- War Machine (film exposing war industries and their tragic consequences)
- Wadjda (Saudi film, screened in Week 8 in partnership with Prince Claus Fund)
- Divergent and Insurgent (film series adapted from Veronica Roth’s novels)
Post-Screening Dialogue
Films are projected on a standard screen, but the experience differs from home viewing. Audiences gather in a small hall alongside fellow enthusiasts and listen to specialists present critical analyses. Discussions delve into the films’ themes and messages, often expanding to technical aspects like production and direction. Attendees are primarily university students (male and female), alongside academics, activists, and human rights advocates. Admission is free.
Source: Samed Al-Samai / Al-Bayan Newspaper, January 2016
