The Arab Film Festival kicks off in DC today featuring an eclectic mix of Arab movies from Egypt, Lebanon, Tunisia and Morocco among others. After reading the festival’s schedule I could not help but get a bit annoyed by the lack of Jordanian entries. What Jordan is contributing to the festival appears to be an 8 minute short film by Jordanian director Shereen Abdul-Baki. However, this short movie is listed as an American production, so I’m assuming it was made in the States. So in a nutshell, the word Jordan doesn’t appear anywhere in the schedule.
I’m aware that the Jordanian movie scene is still in its infancy, but still — deep down inside — I was hoping to see a full-fledged Jordanian contribution. I’m optimistic, though, as I know the efforts of some talented Jordanians like Ameen and Laith will soon pay off. We should also take our hats off to the Royal Film Commission for creating a movie scene in the Kingdom.
You never know, maybe we’ll find a Jordanian contribution in next year’s festival! I remain optimistic.
Onzlo, well said. Thanks for the link. I’m looking forward to seeing more from Laith and Amin, too.
I apologise for adding towards the secterian-religious aspect of the discussion especially since it is totally unrelated to the issue at hand, and because to be honest im not really a fan of religions in the first place, because deep down they seem to be so alike one onether, yet each religious group views itself as ‘different’ or ‘truer’ etc…
Il mohem, back to the main issue, i feel that the future of Jordanian film at this point is about to get better and brighter (probably because it can’t get any worse).
Worth mentioning as well are the amman filmmakers co-operative who’s directors are starting to participate in international film festivals (mostly with short movies) http://ammanfilmmakers.alif.com/
Well people tend to show their concern about their countries in different ways. Some do it best in criticizing things as much as they can and that way works sometimes.
I like Natasha’s blog even though i disagree with her views sometimes….
Back to the subject…
Jordan has very little contricution in Arabic movies, i ca’t even think of any Jordanian movie we had.
Not to mention songs, since nezlen 3ala el bestan and dakhlek ya zezafoneh, wala eshi. Even ya sa3ad is stolen from a khaliji song.
Name and Onzlo, I am sorry. I was offensive and I regret it. To have been as precise as Roba was would have explained my point better. I was sad for what you wrote to Natasha, because she is jealous for a good reputation for Jordan and rightly pointed out things that harm it.
As a Christian, there are many undesirable stereotypes that do fit, and it is my job to portray a different picture (“I’ve seen a TV program about Christians from California like you called “Baywatch”). I have to work to correct bad images of my faith and so do you. It is work and it’s not fun, but if we don’t, the stereotypes win because they get the press.
Incidently find Muslims VERY quick to point out the flaws in the faith of Christians, often with great contempt and the same arrogance you speak of. Would you deny that? Willing to come as a guest to my home, but not speak to me so as not to ‘contaminate’ himself with contact by an infidel woman. But that is his problem, not mine. I’ve had many conversations with Muslim women who have tried to ‘convert’ me, and I appreciate the fact that they care enough about me to share about their faith. It is actually refreshing, since religion is such a ‘taboo’ topic in the US.
I want to publically HONOR rather than degrade the some Muslims I know in Amman and those who blog at jordanplanet, because they have consistantly spoken against the stereotypes in the articles Natasha mentioned.
PS. There are some Christian evangelicals, (not ‘evangelists’), Catholics and Orthodox who are out in the world because our husbands jobs’ brought them there. Annoying pests? Well, I apologize to you for their rudeness. But I wonder if they are people you have met or just another media-induced stereotype?
This is becoming like a childish game. Who cares who anonomous is, or isnt ? Admin; you should not be using this tactic like I know who you are; I know your computer ID..etc. This is not work ethics. Sorry for saying that, but all is becoming silly, and when I discuss a thought or idea, I dont care who presents the idea.
Natasha, by popular demand, you should out ‘Name’.
Name, what are you talking about. YOu say that Natasha’s previous posts have all been negative against Jordan, when they are actually ones that have resulted from love from Natasha’s part!
In “Where are the Jordanian movies?”, she notes a simple fact that the word Jordan doesn’t appear in the Arab Film Festival schedule, then she compliments two young Jordanian directors and the newly established RFC. How is that negative?! It’s quite the opposite, it’s encouraging!
And wait.. why did religion come into your comment? I do see a slight link with religion!
In “The Atrocity Continues”, she criticizes a horrific thing taking place in Jordan- Honor killings. Who in their right mind would condone such an inhumane practice against our sisters in Jordan? And again.. no religious ties.. Islam does not condone honor killings, it is simply a tribal remnant in a tribal society.
Why did you have to stick religion in? I guess it’s the thing to do, eh?
In “Targeting Jordanians”, she critcizes terrorism. Condoning terrorism in its most basic form is an evil within itself!
And yes, although I am a Muslim, I will say this: these men that were convicted were “Radical Muslims”, to hell with them! May they rot in jailcells!
I was one of the people personally affected by the bombings that happened in the civilan compounds of Saudi Arabia back in 2003 by these “radical Muslims”, and I repeat, to hell with them! I hope that God protects Jordan from such horrible, horrible occurances.
Natasha,
Can you please out ‘anonymous’ just out of curiosity?? Pllleeeaaasssseee