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Preview upcoming Arab Film Festival with two films at the Saratoga Library

By Shannon Burkey

Love. Laughter. War. Family. These are just a few of the themes that can be seen in the films of the Arab Film Festival in San Jose. But, for those who can't wait until the festival's premiere in October, a special screening of two films will be held May 11, 7 p.m., at the Saratoga Library.

"These mid-year screenings serve to build the festival audience and get a sample of what the festival screens out to the public," said Basel Bahhour, executive director of the festival.

The Saratoga screening will feature two short documentaries about life in present-day Baghdad.

Both The Tenth Planet: A Single Life in Baghdad and Baghdad Days are told through the eyes of Iraqi woman.

"These films provide insights into life in Baghdad in the early days of the U.S. military occupation," said Sonia El Feki, the film festival's artistic director. "Each film focuses on female college students. We don't typically get to hear this point of view, and I encourage people to see the films. The films are unique in that they provide incredibly interesting portraits."

Since the Iraq war is something that looms large among Americans and is a major part of the Arab world's story, Bahhour said it is a theme in several of the festival's films.

This year will mark the 11th year of the festival sponsored by the Arab American Cultural Center of San Jose.

Although the festival is also shown in San Francisco and Berkeley, its ties are very local. The festival originated in San Jose and was founded by San Jose State University graduate Dina Saba.

"It appeared to me that there was an actual need and desire for something like this," Saba said. "We want to educate people on Arab culture and negate a lot of the stereotypes we see in Hollywood films and provide a more realistic view of the Arab world."

The special screening of the Arab Film Festival is free and open to the public. For more information on the festival or to find additional screenings, visit www.aff.org.