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Abu Dhabi: As part of the ongoing initiatives in UAE's Year of Tolerance, Zayed University is all set to screen four sessions at the Cinema Space at Manarat Al Saadiyat.
Free of charge and open to all, the Tasaamuh: Paths of Tolerance Film Series, promises guests a unique experience and participation. Following each film session, discussion seminars will be held to explore the concept of Tolerance from the perspective of film and humanities, led by one of the Zayed University academics.
The event will host four exceptional themed film seminars, each session includes a unique movie and theme. Starting with the first two, Sunday, October 27, and Wednesday, October 30, then on Friday, December 6, and Saturday, December 7, 2019.
Dr. Fares Howari, Acting-Dean of the ZU College of Humanities and Social Sciences, said, "Films can relate to people and can to expose them to innovative ideas. We curated the films based on certain topics we're seeking to explore in each seminar; all are related to the concept of Tolerance. We also sourced guest speakers with a high ability to relate to our audience."
"More than just a film screening," says Nezar Andary, Associate Professor at the ZU College of Humanities and Social Sciences. We are introducing a new concept of film seminars that will be dynamic and uniquely include the community.
"We are excited to bring these film seminars to the Abu Dhabi community, to further the discussion around tolerance and to promote peaceful co-existence in our multicultural environment," Andary said. "We are also keen to contribute to the cultural, artistic, and educational life of our city by providing opportunities to engage our neighbors in learning and research."
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Distant Thunder (Director: Satyajit Ray, 1973, India) PG 15
Sunday Oct 27 2019 at 7.30 pm
At the onset of the 1942-43 Bengal famine, Gangacharan, a local Brahmin (Soumitra Chatterjee) attempts to preserve his privileged situation in the village, while his generous wife, Ananga (Babita), conversely tries her best to help and support the community. After watching the 1973 classic from India's most famous director, join a discussion on tolerance and poverty with Dr Habibul Khondker (Professor of Sociology, Zayed University) and Bengali filmmaker and UN consultant, Suvra Chakraborty.
Session 2: Superstition and Reason
Häxan (Director: Benjamin Christensen, 1922, Sweden) PG 15
Wednesday Oct 30 2019 at 7.30 pm
Benjamin Christensen’s groundbreaking film that explores medieval European witchcraft through the contemporary lens of 1920s psychoanalytic theory. A historic first in the Middle East! The screening of the Swedish and Danish silent movie Häxan (1922) – known to its English-speaking audiences as Witchcraft Through the Ages – followed by a discussion of this classic film’s significant comment on the trials and tribulations of tolerance. Join Dr James Redman (Zayed University) as he examines the pioneering vision of Benjamin Christensen.
Session 3: Tolerance, Refugees, and Humour. To Clown or not to Clown?
Counting Tiles (Director: Cynthia Choucair, 2018, Lebanon) PG 15
Friday December 6 2019 at 7.00 pm
A group of clowns travel to the Greek island of Lesvos on a mission to bring laughter to the waves of refugees crossing the sea to escape from war and enter Europe. Unwittingly, the clowns find themselves greeted with closed gates witnessing the effects of new policies enacted by the European Union towards the refugees. Cynthia, the sister of one of the clowns, joins them on their journey which slowly becomes a reflection on the sisters’ own tale of displacement during the Lebanese civil war. The director and her sister will address the audience from Lebanon, followed by short talk by humanities scholar and filmmaker, Dr Nezar Andary (Zayed University) with an educational performance by Italian Actor and Clown Francesca Bizzarri (NYUAD). A unique experience for the audience. Funny food will be served.
Session 4: Colonial Encounters
Embrace the Serpent (Director: Ciro Guerra, 2015, Colombia) PG 15
Saturday December 7 2019 at 7.00 pm
The story of the relationship between Karamakate, an Amazonian shaman and last survivor of his people, and two scientists who work together over the course of forty years to search the Amazon for a sacred healing plant. This event questions the relationship between knowledge and culture, confronts the ethnographic impulse, and discusses tolerance in relationship to colonialism. Led by Dr Ximena Cordova (Zayed University) and Dr Javier Mejia (NYU AD). With the participation of the director and producer of the film. Colonial food will be served.
About Zayed University
Zayed University is a national and regional leader in educational innovation. We provide high-quality programs, offered by experienced faculty on two modern campuses in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and welcome Emirati and international students.
Zayed University is accredited by the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA), the internal quality assurance and accreditation body of the UAE, and by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), one of six regional accreditation bodies in the United States.
Visit Zayed University Website: www.zu.ac.ae
For any queries or requests, please do not hesitate to contact:
Ahmed Al-Majayda
Media Relations Specialist
Phone: + 971 50 168 3737
Email: ahmed.almajayda@zu.ac.ae
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