In Marseille, the Aflam festival opens a window on the Arab world through some forty films from twelve countries. Syria, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Lebanon… A key to better understanding the world around us and its challenges.
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After two years of forced removal due to the health crisis (cancellation in 2020 and online edition in 2021), the Aflam festival is reconnecting with its audience. For its 9th edition, this event, which has become a major event on the Mediterranean cultural scene, is showing 40 films in four venues in Marseille, including the Mucem. Fictions, documentaries, feature and short films, works by filmmakers who approach with sensitivity and conviction the societal issues of the Arab world.
“It’s a film that wasn’t written or thought out. It is a film that has been experienced.” In a few words, Nicolas Khoury sets the tone for this 9th edition of the Aflam festival. In his film Fiasco, the young Lebanese director tackles with humor and tenderness the doubts and questions of a youth in search of landmarks. Universal questions that bring people together. And this is undoubtedly the strength of Aflam: to show that at the other end of the world, despite the differences and the economic, political or societal difficulties, the “other” resembles us.Homosexuality, the difficulty of growing up in a world of tradition but also new geopolitical issues, so many themes addressed by the forty films presented this year. Films which, each in their own way, participate in the collective project, namely to change our view of the world. And to understand the world, you still need to know its history, its wounds. From the struggle of the Palestinians to the exile of the Syrians, Aflam pays tribute this year to the struggles for freedom with a particular focus on Algeria which this year celebrates the 60th anniversary of its independence.
9th edition of the Aflam festival in Marseille until April 3, 2022.