Posted in: 08/09/2022 – 12:24
Director Gauthier Raad founded the Lebanese Independent Film Festival in 2016, out of his belief that there should be a platform for people who try to come up with new ideas and find no place for them.
In its sixth edition this year, which ran from September 1 to September 4, Gauthier Raad stresses the importance of highlighting independent films that are closer to reality and its issues. And “it is important to talk through art, about stories that may not be shown on the small screen, in an attempt to find solutions, albeit in a veiled way.” This festival is a festival of cinema, culture, thought and struggle, and “these are the values that we have been raised on… and they are trying to snatch them from us, but we will not allow them.”
Hence, despite the economic, political, social and other crisis that has afflicted Lebanon for years, Gauthier Raad insists on holding the festival in Lebanon. “Whenever the situation, whether in Lebanon or the Arab world, is disturbing, we return and see the rush to complete and make cinema (…) Our country is our responsibility, especially in times of distress.” The festival included many Arab and foreign films, and mental health also had a share, whether in the screening of films or in dialogue sessions.
Gauthier Raad, Samira Ibrahim’s guest on “Hawa Al Ayam” program.
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Text: Katya Saad