2010 Arab Film Festival December 5, 2010

PACKAGE D (Sunday, December 5)
(TWO FILMS)

3 p.m. Chicken Heads (Roos Djaj)
Dir: Bassam Ali Jarbawi
2009/Palestine
14 min.

Set in the farmlands of Palestine, Chicken Heads tells the story of an 11-year-old Bedouin boy who faces a moral dilemma when his pet gazelle harms one of his father's prized animals. It's a coming-of-age story that explores the fine line between taking responsibility for one's actions and lying in order to protect oneself. Arabic with English subtitles.

First Prize - Muhr Arab Award, Short Films, 2009 Dubai International Film Festival
Student Choice Award - Best Film, 2009 Columbia University Film Festival, New York

3:15 p.m. Ajami
Dir: Scandar Copti and Yaron Shani
2009/Palestine, Israel
120 min.

This powerful crime drama is set on the streets of Jaffa's Ajami neighborhood - a melting pot of cultures and conflicting views among Jews, Muslims and Christians. It is told by a cross-section of the city's inhabitants: a young Israeli fighting a criminal vendetta against his family; a Palestinian refugee working illegally to finance a life-saving surgery; a Jewish police detective obsessed with finding his missing brother; and an affluent Palestinian dreaming of a future with his Jewish girlfriend. As their stories intersect, the dramatic collision of worlds leads to tragic consequences. Arabic and Hebrew with English subtitles.

Nominee, Best Foreign Language Film, 2010 Academy Awards
Golden Camera - Special Mention, 2009 Cannes Film Festival
Wolgin Prize for best feature film, 2009 Jerusalem Film Festival
Best Film; Best Director; Best Script; Best Editing; and Best Music, 2009 Ophir Awards, Israel Grand Prix, 2010 Boulder International Film Festival
Best Feature Film - Golden Alexander; Fischer Public Choice Award; Best Screenplay Award,
50th Thessaloniki International Film Festival, Greece
Sutherland Trophy for outstanding first feature, 53rd London Film Festival

PACKAGE E (Sunday, December 5)
(THREE FILMS)

5:30 p.m. Missing
Dir: Tariq Rimawi
2010/Jordan
3 min.

Based on true stories, this stop-motion animated short film opens a window on a child who lives in a war-torn area where he longs for his past peaceful life. No dialogue.

Best Short Film, 2010 Franco Arab Film Festival, Jordan
Official Selection, FICMEC International Film Festival, Lebanon

5:35 p.m. 9 August (9 Aab)
Dir: Talal Khoury
2009/Lebanon
13 min.

This bittersweet film explores the aftermath of a death in both public and private contexts. It is also a tribute to Mahmoud Darwish, the late master of Arabic poetry. Arabic with English subtitles.

Special Jury Prize, 2009 Dubai international Film Festival

5:50 p.m. Our Feelings Took the Pictures: Open Shutters Iraq
Dir: Dima El-Horr
2009/France, Germany, Lebanon
85 min.

Five women from different cities in Iraq study photography and share life stories while living together in Damascus. Ultimately, they weave these multiple narrative threads into a collective story of experience. After shooting their stories in Iraq, the women return to Syria to edit and complete their work. This documentary explores the ways in which traumatized and silenced people can resist the 'un-making' of their world, and assert their sense of existence with an act of creativity. Arabic and English with English subtitles.

Festival schedule is subject to change.

Official Website: http://arabamericanmuseum.org/2010.film.festival