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STATE COLLEGE -- Eighteen new films about life in the Middle East are on tap for the 5th annual Centre Film Festival -- running Oct. 30 to Nov. 5, announced by Pearl Gluck, the Festival's co-founder and director.
The films provide a look into life in that region, with films from Israel, Iran, Egypt, Palestine, Lebanon and Turkey.
These 18 films are among more than 100 films featured in this year's Festival -- screened in person at the State Theatre in State College, Rowland Theatre in Philipsburg and various venues on Penn State's main campus. Films are streamed online, as well.
Pearl Gluck, speaking on behalf of the Festival Board states, "The festival had scheduled a slate of films from the Middle East prior to the horrific events of last week. Given the ongoing developments in the region, we feel it is important to screen films that depict as many perspectives from this part of the world as possible. The Festival’s Middle Eastern films portray life in places such as Israel, Egypt, Lebanon, Iran, Palestine and Turkey, and the topics include Christian, Muslim,and Jewish cultures and traditions; homelessness; refugees and displacement; LGBTQIA+ life; sports; comedy; the Black Hebrews; and war photography. We believe that these films offer moviegoers nuanced representations not widely available in the mainstream media and that they will generate dialogue around the rich complexities of life in this region currently dominating global attention."
These Middle Eastern films include:
-- "Children of Nobody" -- Set in Tel Aviv in a shelter for youths from broken homes.
-- "1341 Frames of Love and War" -- A documentary about the legendary Israeli war photographer Micha Bar-Am.
-- "Pregnant" -- An Iranian woman prepares for the birth of her second child.
-- "Homeboys" -- Deported from Israel, Sudanese teenagers long to be musicians.
-- "The Judgement" -- From Egypt and Lebanon, about a gay couple trapped in a homophobic environment.
-- "Kiss Me Kosher" -- An Israeli woman and a German woman fall in love, to the dismay of their family. The circumstances are further complicated when a triangle ensues with the presence of a Palestinian male lover.
The State Theatre is located at 130 W. College Ave.
Rowland Theatre is located at 127 N. Front St.
All Watch Anytime films are available through centrefilm.org.
Please check the Festival website for the locations and addresses of the screening venues on campus -- www.centrefilm.org
In five short years, Centre Film Festival has blossomed into a full-fledged presence in the competitive film festival sphere, having recently achieved status as an accredited not-for-profit. Next year, the festival is expected to be designated as a member of the influential iMDB.
The Centre Film Festival is a week-long celebration of film and conversation connecting local voices with global ones through media arts, workshops and masterclasses.
The Centre Film Festival brings multigenerational stories to the screen. With the historic Rowland Theatre and State Theatre as century-old touchstones, it brings filmmakers and films to the community that spark conversation and inspire new works.
The festival offers masterclasses that enable local teens to engage with artists and develop their own artistic visions.