Since 1979, Cinemed has been highlighting the richness of Mediterranean cinema. For this 43rd edition, more than 200 films presented, competitions in the feature films, short films and documentaries categories. But also previews in the presence of the film crews, retrospectives, restored copies and even animated cinema. In short, as usual there is something for everyone.
Cinemed offers a journey through the diversity of the peoples of the Mediterranean, from France to the Maghreb, from Spain to Egypt, via Albania and even Israel. “It is a bubbling geographical area, due to political movements (…) it is really a territory in perpetual evolution. And through their films, the filmmakers truly bring us a testimony, an insight, a point of view“, specifies Géraldine Laporte, communications manager of the festival.
The Italian actress and director Asia Argento who has been chosen to chair the jury for the 43rd edition. It is she who will deliver on October 23 theAntigone d’Or for the best feature film. Ten films are in the running in the queen competition: Amira by Mohamed Diab, Souad by Ayten Amin, Sis dies corrents by Neus Ballús, Libertad by Clara Roquet, And there was a morning by Eran Kolirin, Anima bella by Dario Albertini, Hive by Blerta Basholli, Costa, Brava Lebanon by Mounia Akl, Luzzu by Alex Camilleri, and As Far As I Can Walk scored by Stefan Arsenijevic.
The organizers also wanted this year to support a bruised country: Lebanon, through the joint work of Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige. This pair of Lebanese filmmakers and artists weaves conceptual and formal thematic links between photographs, video installations, fictional films and documentaries. In addition to almost all of their films and an installation at the Rabelais center, the festival will also honor young Lebanese authors.
Finally, the festival pays tribute to the great Luis Buñuel (1900-1983) with an exceptional retrospective. About thirty of his films are screened during this week, including The Diary of a Chambermaid, Belle de jour, The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie, The Phantom of Liberty, or That Obscure Object of Desire.
Cinemed sends a message, through the power of the seventh art, which is a call to states that are often too deaf and indifferent to the genocides that take place every day in the Mediterranean. A festival that talks about the world today and how we can all strive to make it better, through integration, encounter, solidarity and hope.
Leoluca OrlandoPresident of Cinemed