All Films

Omar Amiralay Tribute (Tufan fi Bilad al-Ba‘th)

Special Screening

Omar Amiralay / Feature Documentary / Syria, France / 2004 / 46 min / Color / HDCAM
In Arabic, French
Interests: Politics, Social Issues
N/A
Rated: Suitable for all audiences

Synopsis

A Flood in the Baath Country

In 1970, Omar Amiralay made a film to celebrate the great
strides his nation was taking toward modernisation. The opening 15 minute segment of this earlier film shows men and machines building a dam. Thirty-five years later, he returns to the site to make “Flood in The Baath Country” and atone for his ‘error of youth’. The dam has now collapsed and Amiralay questions what has become of the dream of Arab socialism.

About the Director

Amiralay used cinema as a means to engage citizens and reflect their struggle for freedom, democracy and social justice in Syria and the Arab world. His approach to documentary filmmaking continues to define generations of filmmakers. Amiralay’s final film “Everyday Life in a Syrian Village”, is banned as it contains a strong critique of the government’s failure to provide basic amenities to Syrian citizens.

Credits

Director

Omar Amiralay

Screenwriter

Omar Amiralay

Producer

Arte/France, AMIP, Xavier Carniaux

Editor

Chantal Piquet

Cinematographer

Meyar el-Roumi

Sound

Sound: Siwar Darkazanli

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