The 9th Dubai International Film Festival begins Algeria will compete in the ninth Dubai International Film Festival with two films: "Zabaneh" by Said Ould Khalifa and "Yma" by Jamila Sahraoui. The festival opened last Sunday and continues until December 16. It will have shown 158 films in total at closing.
The two Algerian films are also in the running for the Golden Pony - awarded for the best long Arabic compositions.
The first film "Zabaneh," a historical epic, will be screened on December 14 and 15. It is directed by Said Ould Khalifa and stars Imed Ben Shani. The film tells the life story and struggle of the first martyr executed by guillotine during the Algerian revolution at the time when Francois Mitterrand was French Minister of Justice.
"Yma" is written, directed by and stars Jamila Sahraoui. Like "Zabaneh" it evokes Algeria's "Black Decade," presenting ordinary Algerians' determination to get by through the diaries of Wardia [played by Sahraoui]. She lives alone in a farmhouse, where she tries to overcome her ordeals. The film will be screened on December 11 and 13.
There are 16 films competing for this year's Golden Pony.