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‘The Land of Dreams’ and ‘Mouths & Rabbits’ to be screened at Katara Drama Theatre

Doha, Qatar; May 26, 2015: The Doha Film Institute is celebrating the legacy of Arab film icon Faten Hamama with a special tribute on June 4 and 5. The star passed away earlier this year, and was among the best-known actresses of Egyptian cinema with over 100 films to her credit and a wide fan base across the Arab world. The Institute will screen two of Hamama’s films, ‘The Land of Dreams’, which was shortlisted for an Academy Award in 1994, and ‘Mouths and Rabbits’, as part of a special programme taking place at the Katara Drama Theatre.

Marking her acting debut when she was only seven years old with ‘Happy Day,’ Hamama last acted in ‘The Land of Dreams’ in 1993 before returning to television with the mini-series ‘Face of the Moon’ in 2000. Among her other notable works are ‘The Nightingale’s Prayer’ and ‘River of Love.’ Known as the ‘Lady of the Arabic Screen’ and an integral part of the era described as the ‘Golden Age of Egyptian Cinema,’ Hamama has acted in films that tackled issues of social justice and women’s rights.

Directed by Daoud Abdel Sayed, ‘The Land of Dreams’ marks the final film role of Hamama. She plays Narges Rihan who is all set to immigrate to the US, the titular ‘land of dreams.’ However, she discovers that she has misplaced her ticket and passport, and her search for the missing documents sets her on a journey of enlightenment. The film also stars Yehia El-Fakharany and Hesham Selim.

‘Mouths and Rabbits’ (1977), directed by Henry Barakat, is a family drama starring Hamama as Nimaat, who lives with her fretful sister and lazy brother-in-law, and their nine children. She works in a factory to support the family, yet they barely scrape by. Upon discovering her family’s plans to marry her off, Nimaat flees the village and falls in love with a wealthy man – only later to discover that she’s already someone’s wife. The film also stars Farid Shawky, Mahmoud Yassin, Ragaa Hussein and Enas El Deghidi.

‘The Land of Dreams’ will be screened on June 4 (7PM), and ‘Mouths and Rabbits’ on June 5 (7PM), both with English subtitles.

The screenings are part of the Doha Film Institute’s ongoing year-round screenings programme designed to provide Doha audiences with access to quality regional and world cinema and thematic film programmes.

Tickets are priced QAR 35; students receive a discounted rate of QAR 25 upon presenting a valid ID. Tickets can be purchased online at www.dohafilminstitute.com ‫ or in person from Box Offices at Building 16, Drama Theatre from June 4 to 5 (2PM to 8PM).