Malwana (2016). Courtesy of Dubai International Film Festival
Ten Arabic language films were submitted for consideration at this year’s Golden Globes, yet none of them received a nomination. Abdulhamid Juma, chairman of the Dubai International Film Festival, is hoping to change that next year. “Arab cinema is still overlooked in the mainstream despite many films from the region receiving critical acclaim at festivals around the world,” says Juma, who will be presenting Vatche Boulghourjian’s Tramontane and Magdi Ahmed Ali’s Mawlana to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) in Los Angeles for consideration in the Best Foreign Language Film category at the 2018 Golden Globes, the 75th edition of the awards.
“Recognition from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for an Arab film would help propel Arab talent and cinema significantly,” says Juma. “Both Tramontane and Mawlana are compelling films with a universal appeal and deserve to be seen by a wider audience.”
Mawlana (2016). Courtesy of Dubai International Film Festival
In the 30 years since the Best Foreign Language Film category was introduced – until 1986 it was known as the Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Film, meaning any film made outside of America could be honored – only one Arabic language film has won. Palestinian Hany Abu-Assad’s Paradise Now took the prize at the 63rd Golden Globe Awards in 2006.
On a more positive note, Arab cinema continues to be recognized at film festivals around the globe, with Cannes, Venice, and the ongoing Toronto International Film Festival all showcasing films from the region.
Tramontane (2016). Courtesy of Dubai International Film Festival
Tramontane, which follows the journey of a young blind choir singer from rural Lebanon, won the Grand Golden Rail at the Cannes Film Festival, along with a Muhr award at the Dubai International Film Festival. Meanwhile, Mawlana, which stars Egyptian actress Dorra Zarrouk, has yet to pick up an award. Whether or not that will change at the 2018 Golden Globe Awards, we’ll just have to wait and see.
Nominations for the 75th Golden Globes will be announced on December 11, with the ceremony set for January 7, 2018.
Watch the official film trailers for Tramontane and Mawlana below.
