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Syrian Arts and Culture Festival: Dreams of the City
Institute of Contemporary Arts
Films
Dreams of the City, dir. Mohamad Malas, Syria 1984, 130 min., Arabic with English subtitles

Syrian helmer Mohammad Malas’ debut fiction is widely referenced as Syria – and the greater Arab world's – transition into auteur cinema. Partly autobiographical, this coming-of-age, bittersweet drama chronicles the story of Dib. Forced to leave his hometown of Quneitra after the death of his father, he moves with his brother and mother to Damascus. Growing up in the 1950s, against a backdrop of political upheavals (the end of the military dictatorship in Syria, the rise of Gamal Abdel Nasser, Egypt and Syria's short-lived unification in 1958) Dib is faced with wonton violence and oppression, losing his childish illusions. 

Dreams of a City, screened in Cannes’ Semaine de la Critique 1984 and awarded an Honourable Mention at Berlinale 1985, is a groundbreaking example of neorealist cinema of the era, bringing the effects of patriarchy and modernism to the fore.

This screening is being held in partnership with the Syrian Arts and Culture Festival – a multidisciplinary arts festival showcasing Syria’s vibrant arts and culture. The programme of events offers a creative collision of cinema, music, performance, visual arts, and talks. The festival brings together established, alongside emerging, artists, filmmakers, performers, and musicians to offer London audiences alternative narratives and perspectives on Syria, its people, and culture.
 
Ticket information
  • All tickets that do not require ID (full price, disabled, income support) can be printed at home or stored in email
  • For aged-based concession tickets (under 25, student and pensioner) please bring relevant ID to collect at the front desk before the event.
 £13 Full, £11 Concessions, £6.50 Green/Blue Members

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