Diaspora FilmFest

EventInfo.ca - Canadian events calendar, nightlife and entertainment guide, and event listings

From the Turkish Diaspora:

En Garde by Ayse Polat. The heartbreaking account of a friendship between a teenage German girl and a Kurdish girl from Turkey. Friday, October 21, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, October 22, at 9 p.m. Both at Goethe-Institut.
Kebab Connection by Anno Saul. In this comedy of two Berlin restaurants the young nephew of a Turkish restaurant owner “collaborates with the enemy” to make a commercial for his Greek neighbour. Friday, October 21, at 9 p.m. and Saturday, October 22, at 6 p.m. Both at Goethe-Institut.
Otomo by Frieder Schlaich. The true story of Otomo, a black man seeking work and asylum in the German city of Stuttgart. However, all he finds is racism, police trouble and his final destiny. Saturday, October 22, at 4:30 p.m. and Monday, October 24, at 9 p.m. Both at Goethe-Institut.

From the Iranian and Afghan Diaspora:

645 Wellington by Kaveh Nabatian. The story of a group of immigrants who must leave their residence because the building may collapse. Free screening. Tuesday, October 25, at 6:30 p.m., followed by a panel discussion. Innis Town Hall.
Earth and Ashes by Atiq Rahimi. Rahimi’s debut film is based on his bestselling novel about an old man journeying across Afghanistan with his grandson, whose mother was killed in the bombing of their village. Sunday, October 23, at 6:30 p.m. Innis Town Hall. Color of Love by Maryam Keshavarz. This new documentary follows teenagers at a religious ceremony in Shiraz and documents their ways of expressing their attraction towards the opposite sex. Saturday, October 29, at 6 p.m. Innis Town Hall.
Color of Night by Oscar®-nominated filmmaker Shoresh Kalantari. Color of Night is based on a true story about a Canadian-Afghan man who marries a girl from his hometown but learns, when they return to Canada, that she is in love with another. Free screening. Tuesday, October 25, at 6:30 p.m. Followed by a panel discussion. Innis Town Hall.
Popular Music by Reza Bagher. Another box office success, Popular Music is based on a best-selling Swedish novel. From the viewpoint of an immigrant filmmaker, this is a 1960s coming-of-age tale about two teenagers in a remote city. Sunday, October 30, at 6:30. Innis Town Hall.
Taboos by Mitra Farahani. A daring documentary about sex and sexuality in Iran, Taboos is the first film with nudity and sexuality made in Iran since the Islamic revolution. Saturday, October 29, at 7:45 p.m. Innis Town Hall.

From the Arab Diaspora:

100% Arabica by Mahmoud Zemmouri. This musical, with Khaled in the main role, deals with the confrontation of Islamic fundamentalism and young Muslims in a suburb of Paris. Friday, October 28, at 9 p.m. Innis Town Hall.
Exiles by Tony Gatlif. The winner of the 2004 Best Direction prize at Cannes, Gatlif tells the tale of a French-Arab couple who embark on a musical journey to rediscover their roots in Algeria. Sunday, October 23, at 9 p.m. Innis Town Hall
Kopps by Josef Fares. This Swedish/Lebanese filmmaker returns with another hilarious comedy about a small town police station that is about to be closed because of a lack of crime. Sunday, October 30, at 4:30 p.m. Innis Town Hall
L’esquive by Abdellatif Kechiche. Winner of four 2004 César Awards (Film, Director, Screenplay, Actress), L’esquive tells the tale of Kerimo, age 15, who falls in love with a classmate and bribes his way into a play in which his love is the lead. Festival opening, Thursday, October 20, at 7 p.m. Innis Town Hall.
Nabila by Hakan Berthas. Nabila is a Muslim girl, a rapper, and an antiracist activist. In a society dominated by white men, this Muslim woman has a long way to go to reach success. Tuesday, October 25, at 9 p.m. Innis Town Hall.
Shouf Shouf Habibi by Albert ter Heerdt. This light comedy is about a Moroccan family in Amsterdam. The daughter of the family wants to become a fashion designer but her parents have a totally different idea. Wednesday, October 26, at 7 p.m. Innis Town Hall.
Littoral by Wajdi Mouawad. When a Lebanese man is found dead, covered with snow, his Canadian son, Wahab resolves to bury the body in the town of his father's birth. But it is not the idyllic village he envisioned. Thursday, October 27, at 9 p.m. Innis Town Hall.

From the Israeli Diaspora:

Kedma by Amos Gitai. Kedma is about the immigration of European Jews in the early days of the state of Israel. Saturday, October 29, at 9:15 p.m. Innis Town Hall.
Promised Land by Amos Gitai. A tale about the trafficking of women to Israel for prostitution, as told by this famous Israeli filmmaker known for his defined style and social viewpoints. Thursday, October 20, at 9 p.m. Innis Town Hall.

From the African Diaspora:

Four Women by Baker Karim. This beautiful movie follows four women who struggle with their angst over their trust and lust within their relationships, both with each other and with the men in their lives. Sunday, October 23, at 4:30 p.m. Innis Town Hall.
Otomo by Frieder Schlaich. See “From the Turkish Diaspora”.

From Caribbean Diaspora:

How to Conquer America in One Night by Dany Laferrière. After being separated for 20 years, two Haitian friends are reunited in Montreal. While dining the buddies take stock of their lives and dreams. Wednesday, October 26, at 9 p.m. Innis Town Hall.
Scent of Young Women by John L'Ecuyer. Festival’s closing. Sunday, October 30, at 9 p.m. Innis Town Hall.

From Pakistani Diaspora:

Yasmin by Kenny Glenaan. Having rebelled against her Pakistani upbringing, Yasmin had grown adept at juggling her Westernized working and social life with her traditional culture at home — until the attacks of 9/11. Thursday, October 27 at 7 p.m. Innis Town Hall.

Canadian Productions:

645 Wellington by Kaveh Nabatian. See “From the Iranian and Afghan Diaspora”.
Adaan by Ruba Nadda. Free screening. Tuesday, October 25, at 6:30 p.m. Followed by a panel discussion. Innis Town Hall.
How to Conquer America in One Night by Dany Laferrière. See “From Caribbean Diaspora”.
Littoral by Wajdi Mouawad. See “From Arab Diaspora”.
The Scent of Young Women by John L'Ecuyer. See “From Caribbean Diaspora”.

French Productions:

100% Arabica by Mahmoud Zemmouri. See “From the Arab Diaspora”.
Earth and Ashes by Atiq Rahimi. See “From the Iranian and Afghan Diaspora”.
Exiles by Tony Gatlif. See “From the Arab Diaspora”.
Kedma by Amos Gitai. See “From the Israeli Diaspora”.
L’esquive by Abdellatif Kechiche. See “From the Arab Diaspora”.
Promised Land by Amos Gitai. “From the Israeli Diaspora”.
Taboos by Mitra Farahani. See “From the Iranian and Afghan Diaspora”.

Swedish Productions:

Four Women by Baker Karim. See “From African Diaspora”.
Kopps by Josef Fares. See “From the Arab Diaspora”.
Nabila by Hakan Berthas. See “From the Arab Diaspora”.
Popular Music by Reza Bagher. See “From the Iranian and Afghan Diaspora”.

German Productions:

En Garde by Ayse Polat. See “From the Turkish Diaspora”.
Kebab Connection by Anno Saul. See “From the Turkish Diaspora”.
Otomo by Frieder Schlaich. . See “African Diaspora”.

UK Production:

Yasmin by Kenny Glenaan. See “From Pakistani Diaspora”.

The Diaspora Film Festival is an annual art forum dedicated to the celebration of films and videos made by artists living and working outside their countries of origin. These films explore such themes as immigration and social, ethnic and cultural diversity. The Diaspora Film Festival showcases works in all genres which push traditional boundaries in storytelling methods and which inform, provoke and inspire audiences. Visit www.diasporafilmfest.org for updates and more information.