Shirin Ghareeb is the director of the 11th Arabian Sights Film Festival in Washington, DC, which will take place October 27th to November 5th. The festival website says the event "offers a diverse selection of the newest, most provocative, and inspiring films from today's Arab world. These films show the range and commitment of directors, several of whom will be present at their screenings, who invariably manage to tell moving stories while exploring issues facing their region."

Magharebia: What makes the films shown at the festival special?

Shirin Ghareeb: Some of the most interesting cinema is from the Arab world. The Arabian Sights Film Festival was created to showcase the best in new Arab cinema and will feature films from Arab countries. Directors will discuss their films with audiences.

The rich historical, cultural and social dynamics in the Arab world are reflected in a high-quality tradition of filmmaking. These films are remarkable, award-winning examples that are rarely seen by the general public. They are artistically executed, technically sophisticated and provide a window into different facets of Arab society.

The films portray rich cultures that go beyond typical media images. Our audiences want to see films that offer an alternative and a more realistic view of Arab culture.

Many of the films' directors will be there to conduct a Q&A with the audience and discuss their work in detail. This provides insight into the film and also an intimate atmosphere where the audience can discuss issues raised in the film with the director.

Magharebia: Is your audience exclusively Arab-American?

Ghareeb: The audience is diverse - including Americans, Arabs and Arab-Americans - which makes Washington, DC unique. The private, public and federal sectors will include the State Department, Pentagon, Congress, universities, diplomatic corps, and international organisations. In addition, Arabian Sights attracts film lovers who are curious about Arab films and filmmakers.

Magharebia: Terrorism is addressed in some of the films. Please tell us about this.

Ghareeb: There will be an excellent documentary shown at the festival called "Arabs and Terrorism", which is directed by Lebanese filmmaker Bassam Haddad, who is also a university professor. The premise of this film, illustrated through over 100 interviews from 11 countries with politicians, academics, experts and people on the street, is to examine discourse on terrorism in the United States and Europe. The film offers many different points of view and it also offers critics an opportunity to respond. It breaks down the link between Arabs and terrorism, stereotypes and underscores the contradictions and even the very basic definitions of terrorism that we all have become accustomed to hearing.

Magharebia: What are the criteria of a winning movie?

Ghareeb: Each year, the festival presents a unique, quality and diverse selection of new Arab films. All are selected based on originality, artistic quality and technical standards. We tend to stay away from films made for mass consumption and instead focus on the story, content, execution, and acting.

Magharebia: Who are the members of the jury?

Ghareeb: Arabian Sights is a non-competitive festival, so there is no jury. However, there will be an audience award. All audience members can vote for their favourite film. The winner will be announced on our website at the conclusion of Arabian Sights.

Arabian Sights Film Festival hopes to give audiences alternative to mainstream media images of Arabs

The films:

Ahlaam

Mohamed Al-Daradji – Iraq, UK, Netherlands
Saturday, October 28, 6:30 PM AMC Loews Wisconsin Ave 6 Theatres
Sunday, October 29, 8:30 PM AMC Loews Wisconsin Ave 6 Theatres

Arabs and Terrorism

Bassam Haddad – USA
Sunday, November 5, 5:00 PM AMC Loews Wisconsin Ave 6 Theatres

The Betrayal

Phillipe Faucon – France, Belgium
Friday, November 3, 7:00 PM AMC Loews Wisconsin Ave 6 Theatres
Saturday, November 4, 9:30 PM AMC Loews Wisconsin Ave 6 Theatres

The consequences and contradictions of French colonization in Algeria are brilliantly addressed in this compelling thriller. Lieutenant Roque is a young French officer, tired and dispirited by the endless war that seems far from a resolution. Roque and his men have been posted to a dusty, isolated village. His official role is to pacify the locals, wave the French flag and convince the Algerians of his nation's good intentions. But in fact, his main target is the dismantling of the Algerian Front de liberation nationale (FLN). He toils to fulfill his mission, torn between resentful villagers and his own soldiers whose morale and vigilance must be maintained at all costs. After the discovery of a notebook containing confidential information, Roque is confronted by the possible betrayal of some of his young North African recruits.

Beur, Blanc, Rouge

Mahmoud Zemmouri – France, Algeria
Friday, October 27, 9:15 PM AMC Loews Wisconsin Ave 6 Theatres
Sunday, October 29, 6:30 PM AMC Loews Wisconsin Ave 6 Theatres

French Algerian friends Brahim and Mouloud have long anticipated attending the soccer match between France and Algeria. In the 76th minute of the game, a crowd of enthusiastic Algerian supporters rush the field. Brahim shows his unabashed allegiance for Algeria by joining the passionate crowd. Young, unemployed Brahim subsequently gets arrested on the field and now faces a steep fine. This charming comedy gathers momentum when Brahim's parents take him to Algeria where he is unwittingly pressed to evaluate his Beur identity. This comical take on Beur youth coming to terms with their dual identity is the fifth film of Algerian Director Mahmoud Zemmouri.

Bosta

Philippe Aractingi – Lebanon
Friday, November 3, 6:30 PM AMC Loews Wisconsin Ave 6 Theatres
Sunday, November 5, 8:00 PM AMC Loews Wisconsin Ave 6 Theatres

I Saw Ben Barka Get Killed

Serge Le Peron – France, Spain
Friday, October 27, 6:30 PM AMC Loews Wisconsin Ave 6 Theatres
Saturday, October 28, 9:30 PM AMC Loews Wisconsin Ave 6 Theatres

Khochkhach

Salma Baccar – Tunisia
Saturday, October 28, 9:00 PM AMC Loews Wisconsin Ave 6 Theatres
Sunday, October 29, 6:00 PM AMC Loews Wisconsin Ave 6 Theatres

A New Day in Old Sana'a

Bader Ben Hirsi – Yemen
Friday, November 3, 9:00 PM AMC Loews Wisconsin Ave 6 Theatres
Saturday, November 4, 7:00 PM AMC Loews Wisconsin Ave 6 Theatres

The Night Baghdad Fell

Mohamed Amin – Egypt
Saturday, November 4, 9:00 PM AMC Loews Wisconsin Ave 6 Theatres
Sunday, November 5, 5:30 PM AMC Loews Wisconsin Ave 6 Theatres

The Perfect Day

Joana Hadjithomas & Khalil Joreige – France, Lebanon, Germany
Friday, November 3, 9:15 PM AMC Loews Wisconsin Ave 6 Theatres
Saturday, November 4, 7:30 PM AMC Loews Wisconsin Ave 6 Theatres

The Prince That Contemplated His Soul

Nacer Khemir – Tunisia, France, Germany, Hungary , UK
Friday, October 27, 9:00 PM AMC Loews Wisconsin Ave 6 Theatres
Saturday, October 28, 7:00 PM AMC Loews Wisconsin Ave 6 Theatres

Waiting

Rashid Masharawi – Palestine, France
Friday, October 27, 7:00 PM AMC Loews Wisconsin Ave 6 Theatres
Sunday, October 29, 8:30 PM AMC Loews Wisconsin Ave 6 Theatres

Arabian Sights Film Festival Web site