Doha Tribeca Film Festival (2010)

My first Tribeca experience was a half-baked plan. However, the second time around would be a real life adventure. Instead of wandering New York Streets, this time I hopped a plane to Qatar. I was a little apprehensive but also excited to experience the Doha Tribeca Film Festival. And of course, it’s never a dull moment with me.

I was well aware Qatar was a beautiful city—there’s a lot of misconception about the Middle East. Every one was friendly and Helpful. I would later get lost in the city and man offered me ride to my hotel. I was impressed by the free shuttles carting us to the Katara Open-Air Theatre.

My only regret was I didn’t see more films. I checked out, “The Two Escobars,” “The Mountain,” and the “The First Grader.” And each showing moved me.
I made sure to see film by an Arabic Director. So I chose “The Mountain,” by Ghassan Salhab, at random. I wanted to hear a voice from the Arab world. It’s wonderful to see the various expressions from around the world—this diversity is what I loved most about the DTFF.

“The Two Escobars,” a documentary by Jeff and Michael Zimbalist, investigated the correlation between sports and the business of narcotics. Andrés Escobar and Pablo Escobar are linked by a love for football, a love for Columbia and the desire to win—I felt a very tragic yet a moving film.

And finally, “The First Grader,” by Justin Chadwick, was a moving film about an elderly Kenyan man’s pursuit of education.

Looking back on it, it was such a blessing and a wonderful experience.

The films really wanted to check out:
BOY by Taika Waititi
Bhutto by Duane Baughman Johnny O’ Hara
Shorts Program 1 “A Film” “God’s Hand.” “Missing.” “The Fifth Column.”
Shahada by Burhan Qurbani
Stone by John Curran





انا الفيلم

"The Phantom of Liberty " by Luis Buñuel 1974

I ordered Luis Buñuel’s, “The Phantom of Liberty,” seven months ago. Somehow, Amazon lost my order. I welcomed the inconvenience and told myself, “when I check the film out, it will be the perfect time.” Mother Earth is so self-correcting. (dry humor)

Two days ago, while bopping through the library, guess what DVD I saw resting in plain sight?

And yes. The film was right on time. “The Phantom of Liberty,” explores different social norms that inhibit freedom. The film its self even challenges conventional filmmaking, breaking the rules of traditional storytelling.

The plot is held together by a series of episodes. Each story and character is joined by coincidence. And each character is confronted by the irrational.

It all appears to be nonsensical. But, for me, the events are much like the precarious nature of life. In the second episode, a stranger gives two little girls a hand full of pictures. And the viewer can only expect the worse.

With each story Buñuel explores every institution and norm that limits our liberties. From the church, court system, the school system and the business of hospitals, Buñuel displays the irrationality that affects us all.

And what’s interesting, the nonsensical events, such as the sadomasochism and incest in Buñuel’s film, may seem farfetched and unlikely—at first. However, how can one flee from the absurdity in our world today?

In an era where so many people are fighting for their liberties “The Phantom of Liberty,” would provide a humorous outer body experience. The wacky events in America would be commonplace in Buñuel’s imagination. Anthony Weiner’s case being a prime example.

The military men using a tank to hunt a fox in Buñuel film can parallel the U.S hunt for weapons of mass destruction. This list can go on for while.

Humorously, before watching the film, I engaged in a Facebook debate over the hot button issue of gay marriages. Like many discussions, this one got off topic. It eventually ended on legalizing drugs.

However, the interesting question that came about, “How can people become angry over gay marriages, but turn their backs to divorces, adultery, babies born out a wedlock and many other actions condemned in any holy book?

Personally, I often wonder how our institutions, Judeo-Christian beliefs, control and affect our lives based in the first place.

Our institutions strike again! But on a serious note, when will people learn? Norms change with time. The people who challenge norms, or showcase the absurdity in our lives will live, propagate their ideas, and die. However, with every spirit that does so, a society slowly builds an immunity to fear and ignorance.

Jacob Lawrence and the Making of the Migration Series

Chac: The Rain God 1975

First there were the Mayan’s, then along came the Spanish. As a result, a culture existing previously for thousands of years would never be the same.

Roland Klein’s film “Chac” (The rain God) is a story of Mayan culture. And for me, a story very reminiscent to Chinua Achebe's “Things Fall Apart.”


During a punishing drought, a small village calls on the knowledge of their ancestors to conjure a much needed rain. The Cacique, much like a chief, leads a group of thirteen men, also accompanied by a mute boy, to seek the Diviner—a spiritual man whom the villagers believe can bring the rain. Mysticism and folklore are a large part of a culture, which still, interestingly, throngs outside a large cave, amongst the glow of warm candles, as fervent prayers are offered to the saints.

Religion plays important role in the film. The story is told over nine days which represents the nine lords in a Mayan folktale. The parallels of Mayan religion and Christianity echo through out the film. And subtly Klein reveals a Mayan culture struggling for survival: not only is the culture faced with overcoming a drought but also passing on knowledge, the oral tradition, and beliefs their ancestors. Which now rest in the hands of the Cacique’s last option: the Diviner.

From their first meeting the Cacique greets the Diviner, his potential savior, with mistrust. One important element to watch for is the mute boy who tags along. Out of the other men, he’s the only one who trusts the Diviner, the only one who pays attention to the Diviners stories. This relationship proves to be essential—and in my opinion a very important theme in the film.

The themes in Chac are very subtle. Mysticism is fused with the storytelling. And the events occur, seemingly, at random. But with careful observation, the meaning, like the secrets told from the Diviner, can be acknowledged with a keen eye.

In my opinion this film is a remarkable piece of filmmaking—independent filmmaking at its best. There’s only one trained actor in the film. The rest are local residents of the Mexican state of Chiapas. Faced with much adversity on location—actors getting hurt, people quitting in the middle of production—Klein has managed to produce story of honesty. Klein depicts Mayan culture but is careful not to romanticize it. He tells the truth of colonization, and dangers of capitalism swallowing cultures whole. And he does so with out fear, totally bypassing the thoughts of critics. Luckily for Klein, he shot the film for 300,000 dollars loaned to him by his father. There's a luxury behind being your own boss. Note to self, you want to make the film you envision, get your own funding. To bad I don't have a rich father...

Last Year at Marienbad (1961)

I watch many films. So many it’s hard to blog about them all. On top of this, I’m writing my own film, “Sekrets in Lyfe.” (Misspelled on purpose.) But I was compelled to stop everything and write about the film Last Year at Marienbad.

I highly recommend this film, but not without a disclaimer. Alain Resnais Last Year at Marienbad is huge puzzle, one that requires a high level patience and a sharp eye for detail. For this is film was made for the eye and the ear. The plot is arguably incoherent. It could be love story, or a critique about memory—the possibilities are endless. And many say Resnais has left the meaning of the film open to the viewer. However, in terms for film making the film is amazing—I feel a must watch for aspiring photographers, cinematographers and set designers.

I was recently discussing with myself—of course—about the reasons people watch film. It’s a great question. Why do we devote time to the screen? Some sit down for nearly two hours to be entertained, or to escape reality, which IS NOT a bad thing. Others watch films to be challenged, or to make a discovery. I honestly say this film forced me to think differently; it forced me to think about what motivates us. I had to rewind and watch parts three times. The film can be confusing. But the ambiguities interest me, and the style in which the story was told is what I loved most. The film, for me, was purely visual—using camera movements and lightning to convey meaning.

1/11 The Marriag_ of M_ria Br_un (1979)

I'm watching this Trilogy! Great FILM! Why the black man had to die?!

Kids Part 1

Don't know why. But my moms rented this film for me and went to something for her job. Still puzzled till this day why she did. But I know one thing. It taught me what not to do! Caaaaaasper!