Cinema of Yemen

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Cinema of Yemen
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Shahinaz Cinema in Aden (1960) Aden Cinima 1960s.JPEG
Shahinaz Cinema in Aden (1960)

The cinema of Yemen is relatively obscure, but it has seen glimpses of influence and representation throughout the years. Since the 1920s, when expeditions from Europe arrived in Yemen, the country has been featured in various documentaries and travelogues. These early films introduced audiences to the landscapes, architecture, and culture of Yemen, providing a window into a world they might not have otherwise experienced. [1]

Contents

Notable filmmakers like Hans Helfritz, Walter Dostal, Gordian Troeller, Marie-Claude Deffarge, Volker Panzer, and Khadijah al-Salami have contributed to showcasing Yemen's heritage and capturing its essence through their works. Even internationally acclaimed directors like Pier Paolo Pasolini incorporated Yemen's landscapes into their films, adding a touch of exoticism and intrigue to their narratives. [1]

Despite the occasional presence of Yemen in foreign productions, it was not until 2005 that Yemeni cinema gained significant recognition on the global stage. Bader Ben Hirsi, a British filmmaker of Yemeni ancestry, made history with his film "A New Day in Old Sana'a". This romantic drama, seen through the eyes of an Italian photographer, explored love and choices against the backdrop of Sana'a's ancient charm. The film received accolades at the Cairo International Film Festival and was showcased at Cannes, shining a light on Yemeni filmmaking. [1]

However, it is essential to note that the development of Yemeni cinema has been hindered by years of political instability, corruption, and lack of resources. The country's struggles with poverty and limited education opportunities have further restricted the growth of artistic expression, including film production. [1]

In August 2008, Yemen’s Interior Minister Mutaher al-Masri supported the launch of a new feature film to educate the public about the consequences of Islamist extremism. The Losing Bet was produced by Fadl al-Olfi. The plot follows two Yemeni jihadis, who return from years living abroad. They are sent home by an Al Qaeda mastermind to recruit new members and carry out deadly operations in Yemen. [2]

List of Yemeni films

Films shot in Yemen

List of Yemeni directors

See also

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Al-Qaeda insurgency in Yemen</span> Ongoing conflict

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">2013 Yemeni Ministry of Defense attack</span> 2013 militant attack in Yemen

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">2015 in Yemen</span> List of events

The following lists events that happened in 2015 in Yemen.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saudi-led intervention in the Yemeni civil war</span> Saudi war against Houthis in Yemen launched in 2015

On 26 March 2015, Saudi Arabia, leading a coalition of nine countries from West Asia and North Africa, launched a military intervention in Yemen at the request of Yemeni president Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, who had been ousted from the capital, Sanaa, in September 2014 by Houthi insurgents during the Yemeni Civil War. Efforts by the United Nations to facilitate a power sharing arrangement under a new transitional government collapsed, leading to escalating conflict between government forces, Houthi rebels, and other armed groups, which culminated in Hadi fleeing to Saudi Arabia shortly before it began military operations in the country.

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Yemen through Films | Yemen Times". 2017-04-17. Archived from the original on 2017-04-17. Retrieved 2023-07-27.
  2. ""Yemen's fight against a resurgent Al-Qaeda," by Ginny Hill, Christian Science Monitor". Archived from the original on 2010-06-17. Retrieved 2010-08-19. - Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting, August 29, 2008