Doha Film Institute (DFI)’s year-round film series continues with a special programme of films to celebrate Qatar Brazil 2014 Year of Culture.
The series will open with the Gulf premiere of Walter Salles’s Central Station (1998) at the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) on January 30-31 at 7pm.
Following the success of Qatar Japan 2012 and Qatar UK 2013, DFI - in partnership with Qatar Museums Authority (QMA) - will present the Qatar Brazil 2014 Cinema Showcase. It is a series of monthly screenings throughout 2014, taking place on the last weekend of each month at the MIA auditorium.
The initiative will present a selection of exceptional classic and contemporary films that highlight the rich diversity of Brazil’s cinematic history and bring to audiences unforgettable works from internationally renowned directors.
Central Station follows Dora, a jaded retiree, who writes letters for the illiterate at Rio de Janeiro’s Central Station. When a terrible accident befalls one of her customers, Dora’s life is dramatically changed as she takes nine-year-old Josue under her wing and accompanies him on the search for his long-lost father. This multi-award-winning film is a moving tale of the harshness of life and kindness of the human heart.
Salles’s Central Station won the coveted Golden Bear for Best Film at the 1998 Berlin International Film Festival where it had its world premiere, as well as numerous other international prizes, including a Golden Globe and a Bafta.
Other significant films from his filmography include The Motorcycle Diaries (2004), a biopic on celebrated Latin American revolutionary Che Guevara, the Hollywood remake of Japanese horror flick Dark Water (2005) and 2012’s On the Road, based on the celebrated book by Jack Kerouac.
Abdulaziz al-Khater, CEO of DFI, said: “We have had a very successful couple of years with Qatar Japan 2012 and Qatar UK 2013 and it’s exciting to continue the cultural journey with Brazil in 2014. We are delighted to take local audiences on a journey into Brazilian culture through the eyes of some of its most acclaimed filmmakers and to continue to build on our aim to enhance film appreciation in the community.”
An official at the Office of Strategic Cultural Relations with QMA said, “The Office of Strategic Cultural Relations at QMA and DFI are looking forward to celebrate Qatar Brazil 2014 Year of Culture with a selection of inspirational films to be showcased periodically throughout the year at MIA.”
There will be two screenings of Central Station at the MIA auditorium. The opening night will take place from 6pm on January 30 with a welcome reception preceding the screening at 7pm. The second screening will take place on January 31 at 7pm.
Tickets are on sale at www.dohafilminstitute.com and at the MIA DFI Ticket Outlet.
For more information, visit www.dohafilminstitute.com