Latest news with #NationalFilmArchive
Khaleej Times
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Rekha's iconic film 'Umrao Jaan' to release in theatres again on June 27
Veteran Bollywood actress' iconic film, the period drama Umrao Jaan, will release in theatres again. Directed by Muzaffar Ali, the 1981 cult classic has been restored to 4K resolution by National Film Archive of India. Audiences can watch the movie on the big screen from June 27. To mark the occasion, Ali will unveil a limited-edition coffee table book that offers a look into the movie's making. Featuring never-before-seen photographs, costume sketches, calligraphy, poetry, and personal anecdotes from the set, the book is a collector's item and a tribute to the film's artistic vision. Recalling working in the cult film, Rekha said in a statement, " Umrao Jaan is not just a film I acted in—she lives within me, breathes through me, even now... To see it return to the big screen is like watching an old love letter being opened by a new generation. My heart is full." Ali, too, expressed his excitement. "...I had actors who brought a lot of heft to their characters, and then there was Rekha, who lived Umrao Jaan and truly immortalised it. I am thrilled that the film is back on the big screen for a whole new generation to discover a time and culture that's very much a part of our being." Rekha won the National Award for her role as a courtesan-poetess in 19th-century Lucknow. Her graceful dance performance on Dil Cheez Kya Hai is still admired and remembered by filmophiles. Screenings will begin across select PVR INOX cinemas in multiple cities from June 27.
Broadcast Pro
21-04-2025
- Business
- Broadcast Pro
SBA and Saudi Film Commission to enhance film production and preserve audiovisual Heritage
The agreement also emphasises investing in human capital through development, training and knowledge exchange in the field of archiving. Saudi Broadcasting Authority (SBA) and Saudi Film Commission have signed a strategic cooperation agreement aimed at unifying efforts in the development of the Saudi film industry and enhancing the nation's cultural presence through cinema. The agreement was formalised during the launch of the Cinema initiative, part of the National Film Archive programme overseen by the Film Commission. Representing the SBA, CEO Mohammed Al-Harthi signed the memorandum of understanding alongside Abdullah bin Nasser Al-Qahtani, CEO of the Film Commission. The collaboration reflects a shared vision to bolster Saudi Arabia's cultural identity and media landscape by fostering stronger ties between national institutions actively contributing to the Kingdom's cinematic narrative. A key element of the agreement is a joint effort with the SBA's Digital Archive Centre to document and preserve the nation's cinematic legacy. This includes restoring and digitising rare film materials using cutting-edge technologies, conducting research and analytical studies on the Saudi film archive, and curating comprehensive records of Saudi film heritage. Beyond preservation, the agreement also paves the way for enhanced cultural engagement through collaborative art exhibitions and public events, showcasing the richness of Saudi cinema to both local and global audiences. It also places strong emphasis on investing in human capital by supporting training, professional development, and knowledge exchange in the field of audiovisual archiving. This partnership represents a major step toward creating a cohesive and sustainable infrastructure for Saudi film preservation, ensuring that future generations can access and appreciate the Kingdom's cinematic history while supporting the continued growth of the national film industry.
Arab News
17-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Launch of Cinamaa platform marks push for film studies in Saudi Arabia
RIYADH: The Saudi Film Commission has introduced a new initiative, Cinamaa, to promote film studies and support people entering the industry. A launch event was held on Wednesday at the Cultural Palace in Riyadh, hosted by the commission and National Film Archive. The Cinamaa website, a platform intended to help educate aspiring filmmakers, critics, and film enthusiasts, allowing them to share their work, gives users access to articles, research studies, discussions, workshops, and short films on various topics related to film. Following a panel discussion in which she spoke on the importance of film studies in academia, Salma Tarek, professor of literature at the University of Cairo's French language department, told Arab News: 'We need to distinguish between academic studies, meaning university-level education, and studies at film institutes, which aim to train technicians and filmmakers.' The latter is very important and widely available, she said, but cinema studies at the school and university levels are still lacking. 'Abroad, for example, children in elementary school have reading and literacy programs that include a section on how to 'read' a film. They learn what a shot is, what camera movement means, because these have become part of the basic language of how we interpret the world around us,' Tarek said. 'Cinema is no longer just an art form; it is a form of discourse. We are constantly exposed to it, and it's very important that we learn how to decode its messages.' Tarek said that these are messages that are constantly being sent to viewers, who must receive them in an open and thoughtful way. 'The university is the institution best suited to play this role.' When asked what can be done to push this agenda forward, the professor said that first, there must be conviction in the value of cinema studies, a task she said is 'not simple.' The entry point, however, is in interdisciplinary studies. 'For example, literature departments can offer courses on the relationship between performance art and cinema. In history departments, there can be a course on cinema and history. Gradually, these borders will open up, and we will start to develop a cinematic culture within academic institutions.' These institutions will then have the capabilities and foundation to establish dedicated departments for cinema studies, which Tarek said is the 'ultimate goal.' The panel also discussed the need for more original Arabic content in addition to translations of foreign films. Tareq Al-Khawaji, film critic and cultural adviser at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, said that young Saudis interested in screenplay writing have a great opportunity to develop scripts that can contribute to bolstering the cinematic scene in the Kingdom. The launch of Cinamaa was followed by the signing of two memoranda of understanding between the Saudi Film Commission and its partners, the Saudi Broadcasting Authority and the International Federation of Film Critics. The commission's CEO Abdullah Al-Qahtani took the stage with Mohammed Fahad Al-Harthi, SBA CEO and former editor in chief of Arab News, and Fipresci CEO Ahmad Shawky. The establishment of the Cinema Critics Association was also announced, the first independent professional entity dedicated to film criticism in Saudi. At the end of the night, the doors opened to welcome guests into an exhibition on film history in the Arab world.
