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• Two screenings of ‘The Lebanese Rocket Society’ and ‘The Repentant’ in December- winners of DTFF’s 2012 Arab Film Competition Documentary and Narrative
• ‘Beasts of the Southern Wild’ to showcase in January 2013

Doha, December 15, 2012: Katara, Cultural Village and Doha Film Institute (DFI) are pleased to announce the latest strand of Katara DFI Cinema Series, ‘Arab Voices’, with two screenings of ‘The Lebanese Rocket Society’ by Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige, and ‘The Repentant’ by Merzak Allouache, winners from this year’s Arab Film Competition revealed at the fourth edition of Doha Tribeca Film Festival (DTFF). Two screenings of each film will be held per day from December 21st to 22nd at Katara Drama Theatre in building 16.

Set in the 1960’s, ‘The Lebanese Rocket Society’ is a documentary about the launch of the Middle East’s first rocket in Lebanon and how the nation celebrated its involvement in the international space race. In bringing this forgotten episode to light, this film revives Arab dreams buried since the Arab-Israeli conflict of 1967 – a reflection of the reawakening of hopes in the wake of the Arab Spring.

Algerian director, Merzak Allouache and two time DTFF Arab Competition winner, returns with ‘The Repentant’, a narrative that tells the touching story of Rashid, a young jihadist who leaves his mountain hideout to return home in an attempt to resume a normal life. Allouache delves into his nation’s ‘black decade’, taking a close look at the lingering effects of extremism and civil war.

Join DFI and Katara in celebrating contemporary Arab filmmaking that will mark the end of our 2012 year-round screening cycle. The New Year will bring a multitude of new screenings, starting with award winning American film ‘Beasts of the Southern Wild’, directed by Benh Zeitlin. The film is about a six-year-old girl in an isolated bayou community on the brink of orphanhood. Buoyed by the extraordinary imagination of childhood, she believes the universe is in balance, but when a fierce storm comes, she must learn to survive. The film will screen from January 24th to 30th and tickets will be on sale from noon on December 21st.

For more information on film timings, prices and online purchasing, please log on to www.dohafilminstitute.com or visit the official box office in Building 26, Katara Cultural Village office from 1 PM to 7 PM. Tickets for the ‘Arab Voices’ strand is currently on sale online and from the box.