Yemens First Feature Film Premieres

Yemen's First Ever Feature Film Premieres in the Northwest

Northwest film lovers were given the opportunity to see Yemen's first ever feature film, A NEW DAY IN OLD SANA'A on Monday 27th February 2006.

The evening (organised by BAFTA and North West Vision) offered an exclusive opportunity to question the British Yemeni Director, Bader Ben Hirsi on the making of his award winning film.

Mr Khaled Alyemany, a counsellor from the Yemen Embassy in London, joined the audience of film lovers and members of the Northwest's Yemeni community, at the event that doubled as a timely celebration to launch of Bluefire (the diversity strand and an integral part of the 10th Anniversary Kino film festival).

A NEW DAY IN OLD SANA'A is set in the ancient magical city of Sana'a as the neighbourhood eagerly awaits the wedding of the year, unaware of the inner turmoil of the groom as he realises the woman he fell in love with was not the wealthy bride-to-be, but rather a low class orphan gypsy. Love, gossip and envy irrevocably changes the lives of all those concerned, forever. Ultimately the groom has to make a choice between marriage and tradition or love and the unknown.

The film was awarded the best film award at the Cairo International Film Festival, and has been screened throughout the Arab States.

North West Vision and BAFTA have collaborated to produce a succession of events aimed at developing film audiences across the Northwest region. This screening was part of a programme of Q&A sessions that most recently included, Steve Coogan In Conversation With Anthony Wilson, in December. The A NEW DAY IN OLD SANA'A screening came with a unique diversity angle and is aimed at making diverse films accessible to mainstream audiences.

There will be 2 more high-profile screening events in 2006 - so keep your eyes peeled!

Alice Morrison, Chief Executive at North West Vision, said:

"We feel privileged that, along with film lovers and Northwest communities, we are being given the opportunity to speak with the director of Yemen's first ever feature film. I am positive that the evening will be an entertaining and enlightening experience for everyone involved."