Yemenis find solace in cinema
First film screened in Aden since war erupted follows couple whose wedding is disrupted
suffering following Al Houthi coup can only end through a UN-led political process. The UAE, as part of Arab Coalition, welcomes peace talks which start in Geneva on Thursday. We urge all Yemeni parties to engage constructively with the UN process.”
He further tweeted: “UN envoy Martin Griffiths deserves special praise. His enthusiasm & drive made these talks possible. Coalition’s use of legitimate military force always intended to support political solution & UNSCR 2216. Long way to go. But Geneva can bring outcome nearer.”
Yemeni Foreign Minister Khalid Al Yamani, who will head the government team to the indirect talks, said they would focus on confidencebuilding measures.
“The government delegation is ready to go farther than Geneva to ease the Yemenis’ situation, especially in areas under control of Al Houthi militia,” Al Yamani told Saudi newspaper ■
Yemenis file into a makeshift cinema for the first time since fighting broke out in their city of Aden more than three years ago — and watch some of their own story reflected back at them on the projector screen.
The film they have come to see is Ten Days Before the Wedding — a gripping drama about a young couple from the southern port city whose marriage plans are nearly derailed by the country’s civil war and other troubles.
It is the first film publicly screened there since the conflict erupted, and the first local Yemeni production in years.
The story rings true for the audience of men and mostly veiled women, sitting on chairs in a hall which is normally used for reallife weddings and other events.
“We lived through each stage of the movie, which talks about each one of us, so we felt as though the film represented us and we were a part of it,” says audience member Nour Sareeb.
The story follows the romance between Rasha and Mamoun and branches out to cover broader issues, including the country’s economic collapse and the prospects of rebuilding after violence.
Characters wrestle with falling incomes, rising prices and the problems of raising a dowry.
“We’ve all suffered because of the war, it has affected us all, but we all have ambition and hopes that the country will get better. We all aspire to be happy in this country,” Nour adds.
Violence dropped off in Aden after pro-government fighters recaptured it from Iran-backed Al Houthi militiamen in 2015.
The threat of attacks by militants remains, including some from hardline groups opposed to the Western-tinged world of cinema. And economic decline exacerbated by a weakening currency triggered protests this week that paralysed activity in Aden and nearby areas.
In such an environment, finding investors for the film was not easy, says director Amr Gamal.
“We had to oppose these ideas that make you fear producing anything in the arts and we had to strive and work hard,” he says. “We met with the production team and decided to do it after everyone’s agreement. They all told me ‘We are with you,’ and we were surprised to find that the people in the street supported us,” he adds.
The film premiered in Aden during Eid Al Adha and has been running ever since.