4:59PM
Jordan to get film school
Issandr El Amrani
The diversity of attempts to normalize relations between Israel and Arab states always astounds me:
The Red Sea Institute of Cinematic Arts is in line with His Majesty's efforts to harness the skills of Jordanian youth by exposing them to the latest technologies in filmmaking and production. The institute would also contribute to His Majesty's vision of establishing a hub for intellectual and creative capital in Jordan, where youth in the region can be equipped with the necessary tools for success.I have no doubt that films schools in the Arab world are an excellent idea, especially considering the decline of Arab cinema over the last 50 years (especially technically - new movies use cheap film that produces horrible results compared to ones from the 1950s that still look splendid). But why do it with Israel? His Majesty King PS2 once again does his eager Uncle Tom routine.
His Majesty drew on the expertise of filmmaker Steven Spielberg, who recommended the partnership with USC, to make this project a reality.
"When His Majesty the King approached me on the subject of a Jordan-based, world-class film school serving every country in the Middle East, including Israel, I immediately saw the importance and significance of such a venture for the people and the future of the region.
Reader Comments (8)
King PS2 is indeed pathetic, but hey, like father, like son...
Hi Issandr,
actually the article says it will be in Aqaba.
Well Aqaba is in Jordan... did I imply otherwise?
oops! Sorry! Not enough coffee or something. I misread "in Israel".
On the other hand, there is at least one Israelu filmmaker who would be fantastic for the school- Haim Bresheeth- who works with other Palestinian filmmakers to get work out about the occupation.
I vaguely remember reading that several Egyptian filmmakers trained at an Indian film institute in the 1950s, can someone confirm? Film schools have declined throughout the region and everyone now runs off to the US for training (though Prague was popular recently too, I think). US collaboration makes sense from this point of view, thought it would probably have been enough that Jordan was a client state of the US.
a) There are one million Arabs living in Israel (not including the territories). By allowing Israel to participate, so too can those one million Israeli Arabs.
b) Raise your hands if you think Steven Spielberg would have participated in this project if had excluded Israel.
c) Why do we care? Does anyone think the problems in the Middle East derive from Israelis and Arabs making too many movies together?
Andrew makes a good point in c). Though filmmakers in Israel have long been progressive and a bunch of them even put out a statement criticising Israeli actions in Lebanon this summer, so as a peace-making initiative it would be sort of preaching to the choir (not to mention hardly capable of influencing anything on the ground). As an artistic initiative, why not.
Hossam, I really hope you see this; you're an absolute ass for calling his majesty pathetic, and an ungrateful ass for calling King Hussein that too, if it sees the light, this project will provide many new jobs for 3 nations, you should be thankful you ungrateful schmuck!
As for you Mr. Amrani, I hope you read my comment on the King Abdullah and Shah Iran resemblance article, I really hope you can stop calling his majesty King PS2.
Respect!
LoCo!