Nouakchott film fest spotlights harmony

2009-10-29

Mauritania's 4th National Film Week celebrates the country's Arabic, African and Berber cultural traditions.

By Mohamed Yahya Ould Abdel Wedoud for Magharebia in Nouakchott – 29/10/09

Mohamed Wedoud] Panellists discuss the finer points of the seventh art at the 4th annual National Film Week in Nouakchott.

The 4th National Film Week, which runs through Thursday (October 29th) in Nouakchott, is reaching beyond borders to bring together films reflecting the diversity of both Mauritania and the world.

The annual event, organised by the Maison des Cineastes (House of Film-makers), is generally known as SENAF. Twenty-five high-profile participants from 14 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas are taking part in the screening of 59 films, including 33 from Mauritania.

"We wanted to introduce the topic of co-existence through the slogan of the Maison des Cineastes, "Vivons Ensemble" (Let's live together) …because, throughout the years, Mauritania has always been the land of co-existence and … Arabic, African and Berber blending," said festival director and film-maker Mohamed Ould Edoum.

The slogan is important because "the Maison des Cineastes stands as an open space in the arena of co-existence among all Mauritanian ethnicities," added Edoum. "Cinema is the art of co-existence among all other arts, such as theatre, poetry, dancing, music, and so on."

The festival was inaugurated by Mauritania's ministers of culture and higher education, as well as a number of Arab film-makers and panel members, before a youth-dominated audience.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Cissé Mint Cheikh Ould Boyde lauded the festival slogan, which calls for dialogue and harmony among humans of all walks of life.

"[Dialogue and harmony] are pressing needs and one of the necessities of the age, as well as a natural outcome of the globalisation that has erased barriers among nations," said the minister, adding, "It no longer makes sense for a certain class or ethnicity to shut themselves off from the others, as long as they've agreed to be part of the human harmony that gives way to cultural diversity, eliminating all differences, for the benefit of everyone."

"This large-scale national cinema event embodies that vision through the host of movies shown," the minister concluded.

"SENAF attracts many young people with cinematic ambitions, ambitions that are all too often shattered by a rigid … society and a lack of the infrastructure needed for the seventh art," said one festival participant, Sidi Ould Mohamed. "I met young directors who came from all over the world, to communicate a message of peaceful co-existence among nations, through adopting dialogue and rejecting differences … The younger generation is aware of the importance of the cinema in swaying mindsets and correcting approaches."

True to its slogan, the event spotlights fraternity, unity, cultural diversity, freedom and co-existence. The opening film, "Colour of My Friends", cast light on the psychological make-up and perspectives of various members of Mauritanian society, especially regarding disputes between Arabs and blacks.

"I'm truly delighted that my movie was chosen to inaugurate the festival this year. I have also noticed the considerable response from the audience to the idea of the film," said Adia Kana, who played a key role in creating "Colour of My Friends".

Other films took on the topics of violence and terrorism, and offered varying perspectives on the notion of an Islamic state.

Edoum summed up his take on the festival's inspiration: "For me, it means co-existence among people, among neighbours in their shared neighbourhood, among countries, ethnicities, cultures, religions and between one human being and the other."