We're joined by film critic and president of the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI), Ahmed Shawky, and delve into the role of film critics in the Arab world. We talk about Shawky's personal journey into critiquing films and the evolution of Arab cinema. Shawky shares insights on iconic Egyptian filmmakers, the impact of global cinema, and his experiences at various film festivals. We touch on the challenges of censorship and the future of the Arab film industry.
00:00 Introduction
00:37 Defining the Role of a Film Critic
02:00 Early Influences and Passion for Cinema
03:35 The Impact of the Internet on Film Criticism
08:42 Starting a Blog and His First Writing Job
11:46 Golden Age of Arab Cinema
15:55 Challenges of Film Criticism in the Arab World
19:57 The Life of a Modern Film Critic
25:14 Optimism and Challenges in Arab Cinema
29:38 The Role of Film Festivals
31:27 The Growth of Filmmakers on the Global Scene
32:25 Advice for Arab Film Festivals
34:19 Successful Film Festival Models
39:47 The Role of Saudi Arabia in the Arab Film Industry
48:14 Challenges and Optimism in Censorship
52:22 Rapid Fire Questions
Ahmed Shawky is a Tanta-born Egyptian film critic, programmer, and president of the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) and the Egyptian film critics association (EFCA). He publishes weekly articles about cinema and entertainment industry, mainly in three major Arabic websites: Filfan.com, Fasllah.com, and Schehrezade.com. He has published eight books Egyptian cinema, and worked for many festivals like El Gouna, Cairo, and Malmo. In 2010, he presented his first film, A Life's Box, then directed The Green Tape, and A Guinea Pig, before making his first documentary, Once Upon a Place.
Connect with Shawky 👉 https://www.instagram.com/shawforlife
Hosted by:
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Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊 https://spoti.fi/47I59ns
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