Since November 4, 2015, a café in central Sana’a has been screening an Arab or international film every Wednesday. The initiative was launched by Yemeni writer
Samah Al-Shagdari as an attempt to create a space of relief amid the ongoing war in the country.
Al-Shagdari named the initiative “Sawt Cinema”, based on the belief that the seventh art can have a societal impact by showcasing works that advocate for freedom of expression and by creating a cultural space—especially given that more than 20 cinemas in Yemen have shut down due to the war.
These weekly screenings will continue until mid-March, featuring films by Yemeni directors such as “A New Day in Sana’a” by Badr Ben Hirsi and “The Burdened” by Amr Gamal, along with “The Prisoner” by Khadija Al-Salami, “Wadjda” by Saudi director Haifaa Al-Mansour, and “A Separation” by Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi.
The films shown range from
documentaries to feature films, mostly exploring social stories that touch on issues like war and its social consequences, as well as narratives about women activists within conservative environments.
The screenings are not limited to the films alone—discussion sessions are held afterward to engage with the topics and themes presented in the screenings.
Originally published in Al-Araby Al-Jadeed on December 31, 2015
