Egypt's strong presence in Forum Expanded of Berlinale 2016
Ahram Online, , Friday 22 Jan 2016
This year's Forum Expanded will showcase 49 artistic works presented under the theme 'Traversing the Phantasm'


The organisers of the Forum Expanded, a section within the Berlin International Film Festival, announced that this year 49 works will be presented by artists from around the globe.

Following the theme 'Traversing the Phantasm', the Forum will present 32 films of different lengths, 15 installations, one lecture performance, and a reading.



According to the announcement, the concept of 'phantasm' takes us through a variety of manifestations, whether reflections, collective fantasies or geo-political realities. The central thread will be introduced in the keynote lecture to be held at the beginning of the festival by art theorist Helmut Draxler.



"The works shown in the film programmes and the exhibitions set for themselves the task of not just depicting such phantasms but also working their way through them," the organisers explain in the official press release.



With 49 works from across the globe and mediums, Egypt's presence is evident through seven creative manifestations.



Five films directed by Egyptian filmmakers or with Egyptian cast will be screened. They are: Expired by Islam Kamal, Fathy La Yaeesh Hona Baad Ala'n (Fathy Doesn't Live Here Anymore) by Maged Nader, Zakerat Abad El Shams (A Stroll Down Sunflower Lane) by Mayye Zayed and Kama Tohalleq al Teyour (As Birds Flying) by Heba Amin, Moderation by Anja Kirschner (Greece/Italy/Egypt/United Kingdom).



A special reading of The Hanging Garden of Sleep by Haytham El-Wardany (Germany/Egypt) will be the only such manifestation in Forum Expanded section.



On another note, Egypt will also return through a display of unique photographs. Displayed within the Visionary Archives segment of Forum Expanded, the exhibition's title is self explanatory as it states: The Unbelievable Photos Taken by the Crazy Russians Who Illegally Climbed Egypt’s Great Pyramid.



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