Katara, Cultural Village and Doha Film Institute (DFI) has announced the latest strand of Katara DFI Cinema Series, ‘Arab Voices’.
It will include two screenings of The Lebanese rocket society by Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige, and The Repentant by Merzak Allouache, winners from this year’s Arab Film Competition revealed at the fourth edition of Doha Tribeca Film Festival (DTFF). Two screenings of each film will be held on December 21 and 22 at Katara Drama Theatre in building 16.
Set in the 1960’s, The Lebanese rocket society is a documentary about the launch of the Middle East’s first rocket in Lebanon and how the nation celebrated its involvement in the international space race. In bringing this forgotten episode to light, this film revives Arab dreams buried since the Arab-Israeli conflict of 1967 – a reflection of the reawakening of hopes in the wake of the Arab Spring.
Algerian director, Merzak Allouache and two time DTFF Arab Competition winner, returns with The Repentant, a narrative that tells the touching story of Rashid, a young jihadist who leaves his mountain hideout to return home in an attempt to resume a normal life. Allouache delves into his nation’s ‘black decade’, taking a close look at the lingering effects of extremism and civil war.