The Annual Middle Eastern Film Festival is screening genre films in the Cook-Dewitt Center on Grand Valley State University’s Allendale Campus.
Tonight’s film, “Monsieur Ibrahim,” features Omar Sharif as an elderly widower living in Paris. He meets a teenage boy who changes his life. The film was directed by Francois Dupeyron. Sebastian Maisel, assistant professor of Modern Languages and Literatures and Middle East Studies at GVSU, will give an introduction and lead a discussion.
Friday will feature the film “Edge of Heaven,” a portrayal of sexuality and friendship between six characters. The film was directed by Faith Akin, the critically acclaimed director of “Head-On.” Cornelia Zierau, visiting professor in the Modern Languages and Literatures Department, will give an introduction and lead a discussion.
A musical performance by “Salaam,” which translates to “Peace” in Arabic, will conclude the festival with Middle Eastern and North African-influenced songs at 8 p.m. in the Cook-DeWitt Center.
Yesterday featured keynote speaker Moustafa Bayoumi, associate professor of English at Brooklyn College and author of “How does it Feel to be a Problem?” Being Young and Arab in America Today,’ winner of the American Book Award and the Arab American Book Award. A screening of Amreeka, which chronicles the journey of immigrants, was also shown Wednesday.