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| Captain Scarlet |
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With just one week to go until the Middle East International Film Festival opens in the capital, Abu Dhabi Week talks to MEIFF executive director Peter Scarlet about sleep deprivation, the importance of the oryx and how not to be “ridden out of the city on a rail” ...
The Middle East International Film Festival (MEIFF 09, 9th-11th October) is back for its third year. Its mission is to “affirm the key place Abu Dhabi holds as an emerging culture centre” via an array of films from around the world but especially the Middle East. The job of executive director of MEIFF sounds challenging – and it’s one that Peter Scarlet is taking on with gusto. Scarlet landed in Abu Dhabi in April. “I’ve been very lucky with this role,” he says. “I absolutely love Abu Dhabi and I’ve travelled here quite a bit over the years. The only real difficulty, which I already knew before accepting the role, is that it takes a year to prepare and organise a film festival ... and I had six months”. He remains optimistic but realistic. “I’m asking everyone to consider this festival as a ‘taster’ of MEIFF – next year we’ll present a real festival.” So he sees MEIFF as a long-term job? “I’m here for the duration; I believe in building something serious – which I believe we can do here. And by serious I don’t mean grim, glum or heavy!” he adds jokingly in his American drawl. Peter’s career path is longer than most film reels. For an impressive 19 years, he was Artistic Director of the San Francisco International Festival, the oldest of its kind in America. In that time he reclaimed its reputation as one of the most adventurous and widely respected on the international circuit. “I left SFIFF because it didn’t scare me anymore. So I went and did something really scary; I went to France and took on the role as the first non-French Director- General of Cinématheque Française – one of the largest and oldest film archives.” After a year in France he headed back to the States, to be artistic director of the Tribeca Film Festival in New York. Tribeca was founded in 2002 both to celebrate New York City as a filmmaking centre and to contribute to the longterm recovery of lower Manhattan after the World Trade Center attacks. He had a successful spell there, “but after six years I was ready for a change and a challenge again – and that challenge is here”. The headhunter called at just the right time. Scarlet had attended MEIFF 2008 as a visitor and remembers a documentary about the oryx. “At the time I knew nothing about this animal. I was surprised to learn that in the 1950s it was nearly extinct but saved through the efforts of someone I had never heard of either – Sheikh Zayed [Bin Sultan Al Nayhan]. “The more I learned about what he had achieved for his people, the more I realised what an amazing place the Emirate is. I also realised that a lot of people in the West know very little about the UAE, that its rulers were actively taking steps to do things for the benefit of the country. “It’s a great example of this place – Abu Dhabi seems to be on the cusp of the future. Abu Dhabi is an enormously exciting place, and the potential for doing something quite different exists here. “That’s why I’m here.” Despite his positive outlook, Peter admits that MEIFF will certainly be a challenge. After all, it’s very new: “The likes of Cannes, Venice and Berlin [film festivals] have all been in existence for something like 60 years. This is only our third year!” So he’s prepared to make mistakes and to learn from them. “It’s different here and it’s our first real crack at it. I’m sure there’ll be times when we fall flat on our face – but hopefully we’ll be able to do things better the next time round.” Selecting the films for the festival is one potential pitfall, especially in the UAE culture. Many Hollywood films do not make it into the cinemas here without being cut, for instance. Is Peter Scarlet finding it difficult to pick films that won’t offend or be deemed unsuitable in an Arab country? It seems not. “There are certain things that are clearly beyond the pale for screening here, but for the most part, there have been no real issues. As they used to say in America when a film festival was over – I just hope they don’t ride me out on a rail,” he laughs. And he is still excited by the potential. “I’ve always believed that film is one of the most powerful art forms that our species has developed. A film can help you understand how a person may look, dress, or act in a different part of the world from yours – and how nonetheless you still share some basic, essential human qualities.” More specifically, the Festival will also be an opportunity for film-goers to broaden their view. “It’s an eye opener; the expats and the locals alike can’t normally see films from Syria, Egypt, Lebanon and Iran. With MEIFF, you get to see things that you wouldn’t necessarily get to see throughout the rest of the year. So what can we expect from the festival this year? “We have a very strong collection. I’m really very proud of the line-up and there should be something for everybody. “It’s also a chance to meet and mingle with people who are as passionate about film as you are – that’s what a film festival is all about.” Beyond this year, it doesn’t look like Peter’s going off for his next challenge anytime soon. “It would be great to firmly place MEIFF on the film industry map. For now though, I can’t even think beyond closing night – that’s one negative effect of a film festival: sleep deprivation for the organiser!” Talent watch The 14 finalists in the 9th Emirates Film Competition this year will be screened during MEIFF, with the winners to be announced on 16th October. The Abu Dhabi Film Commission considered over 140 submissions before coming up with the shortlist. Peter Scarlet: the CV 1983-2001: Artistic director of San Francisco International Film Festival 2001: Named an Officer in the Order of Arts and Letters by France’s Ministry of Culture 2001-2002: Director-General of Cinématheque 2002-2009: Artistic director of New York City’s Tribeca Film Festival April 2009-present: Executive director of MEIFF For the last three years, Peter has also served as presenter and cocurator of the Cinemondo foreign film series on the satellite network Link TV Full Circle The Abu Dhabi Film Commission presents The Circle Conference 2009 from 9th to 11th October. The conference aims to create new filmmaking opportunities in the Middle East, bringing together producers, financiers, executives and filmmakers from around the world to share knowledge through panel discussions, master classes, collaboration lunches and a pitch competition. Among the speakers will be Fox International Productions chief Sanford Panitch, producer Walter Parkes, UK industry bigwig Stewart Till and UTA’s Rich Klubeck. Ten top picks There’s a lot going on at MEIFF 09 – films in and out of competition, some great-looking documentaries, a whole stream on music in film: see www.meiff.com – but here (in no particular order) are ten movies we’ll be queuing for.
Last Ride [Middle East Premiere] – Feature debut from Palme d’Or winner Glendyn Ivin, a gritty, lyrical and heart-breaking portrait of an Australian criminal on the run and his 10‐year‐old son.
Son Of Babylon [World Premier] – A wilful young boy and his equally‐obstinate grandmother journey across Iraq in search of their missing loved one, a former political prisoner. Director Mohamed Al‐Daradji’s stunning new work is a testament to Iraq’s continuing search for justice and closure.
The Long Night [Middle East Premiere] – Three long‐term political prisoners are suddenly released – but why, and what awaits them? Controversial director Hatem Ali offers a searing indictment of contemporary Syrian life and politics that has universal application. The Men Who Stare At Goats – George Clooney, Ewan McGregor, Jeff Bridges and Kevin Spacey star in Grant Heslov’s dark comedy about weird projects from the US military establishment.
Tickets and screens MEIFF 09 will have screenings at three locations: Emirates Palace Auditorium Cinestar Cinemas, Marina Mall Grand Cinema, Abu Dhabi Mall You can buy your tickets online at the website, or in person at the cinema box offices or from the booth in the Emirates Palace entrance lobby; they are open every day from noon to 10pm. The standard ticket price is AED 20 (Gala Screenings at Emirates Palace Hotel AED 30, Students and Seniors AED 10). A pack of 10 vouchers is AED 150, and a complete Festival Pass is AED 200; those are good for all screenings, except the invitation-only opening and closing night galas. Additional festival events will take place at the MEIFF Festival Tent at the Emirates Palace, on the main terrace behind the hotel. The Festival Tent is open to the public throughout the festival. More information including the full schedule: www.meiff.com
[Writer] Charlie Kennedy [Originally published in Abu Dhabi Week vol 2 issue 34] |
Buried Secrets [Middle East Premiere] – Atmospheric Tunisian thriller by Raja Amari, equal parts family psychodrama, coming‐of‐age melodrama, and gothic horror with a story based on the conflict between traditional values and contemporary mores.
