Press Centre

Back to listing

Omar Sharif To Attend DTFF Special Screening

Oct 25, 2011 — Film Festival

Download this Press Release

125 kB

Download PDF

‘An Egyptian Citizen’ to Screen Under the Stars at DTFF 2011

Doha, October 25, 2011 – Egyptian screen legend Omar Sharif will attend a special free outdoor screening of his 1991 film An Egyptian Citizen(Al Muwaten Masri) at this year’s Doha Tribeca Film Festival (DTFF) on October 28 at 9pm at the Katara Open Air Theatre.

Viewers at the limited capacity event will be treated to a story of class, land ownership and social privilege in the story of a feudal landowner who sends his guard’s son, Masri, into military service in place of his own. Masri dies after confessing everything, leaving the two men to desperately gain control of the situation.

The themes are reminiscent of Egypt’s recent uprisings as part of the ‘Arab Spring’.

Omar Sharif epitomized Egyptian cinema in the 1950’s and reached international acclaim with his performance in David Lean’s epic Lawrence of Arabia and Doctor Zhivago, which was followed by appearances in Funny Girl and Funny Lady.

The film was directed by the late Salah Abo-Seif, considered the grandfather of the realist movement in Egyptian cinema. Abo-Seif and Sharif collaborated several times in their careers, and An Egyptian Citizen was the director’s last film.

Sharif is no stranger to DTFF, attending last year’s edition. He will also speak to students of Qatar University’s Mass Communications programme on Wednesday, October 26 at 12:30 pm. The event is open to the public.

For additional information relating to Festival screenings, tickets, venues or transportation please visit: https://www.dohafilminstitute.com/filmfestival.

About Doha Film Institute (DFI):
The Doha Film Institute (DFI) is an independent cultural organisation established in 2010 to incorporate Qatar’s film initiatives under one banner.

Located at Qatar’s new cultural hub, Katara, DFI’s many initiatives include film and television funding for MENA and international films, year-round education programs, film screenings, and the annual Doha Tribeca Film Festival (DTFF).

In addition, DFI has established a number of strategic cultural partnerships with leading local and international organisations including Katara Cultural Village Foundation, Tribeca Enterprises, World Cinema Foundation, Maisha Film Labs and Giffoni Film Festival.

DFI was founded by H.E Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani. Along with Her Excellency, DFI leadership comprises DFI Board Vice-Chair and Festival Board Chair, H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Fahad Al-Thani; DFI Board Member and Festival Board Vice-Chair, H.E. Dr. Hassan Al-Nimah; DFI Board Member, Mr. Mansoor Ibrahim Al-Mahmoud; Festival Board Member, H.E. Sheikh Jabor Bin Yousuf Al Thani; and DFI Executive Director, Amanda Palmer.