Cinema Akil at 25hours Hotel One Central is shining a light on Sudan’s cinematic heritage.
Cinema Akil is turning its screen over to Sudan for one powerful night of cinema. On Saturday, 22 November, the independent picture house at 25hours Hotel One Central will host a curated programme of five restored Sudanese short films that helped shape the country’s film culture. Presented in collaboration with The Sudan Film Group Retrospective, the evening will also feature a special presentation by Arsenal – Institute for Film and Video Art, which has played a key role in preserving and circulating these works.
The line-up of Sudanese short films at Cinema Akil opens with The Tomb: Al Dhareeh, a 1977 film by Eltayeb Mahdi. The story follows a man who claims to possess healing powers, touching on themes of faith, belief and the tensions between superstition and reality. It is a compelling entry point into the social fabric of Sudan at the time.
Ibrahim Shaddad’s The Rope focuses on two blind men and a donkey crossing the Sudanese desert, bound together by a single rope. This short, poetic work becomes a cinematic meditation on trust, interdependence and the stark beauty of the Sudanese landscape.
In Africa, The Jungle, Drums and Revolution, Sudanese director Suliman Mohamed Ibrahim Elnour turns his VGIK diploma film into a sharp critique of how Africa is represented in Soviet society. Made in Moscow, the film interrogates stereotypes and challenges the viewer to question the images they consume.
Mahdi returns with Four Times For Children, a sensitive observational piece that documents everyday life in facilities and schools for children with physical or mental disabilities. The film looks beyond labels, offering an empathetic portrait of care, routine and resilience.
Shaddad’s A Camel completes the programme. Set largely in a modest sesame mill, it offers a surprising, almost documentary-style report on the life of a camel, unfolding within the confines of a small, sparse room.
Known for championing independent films from across the globe, Cinema Akil continues its mission to “create awareness and foster genuine interest in film and the art of cinema” by platforming voices and stories that are rarely seen on mainstream screens in the region.
All the Cinema Akil Sudanese short films are presented in Arabic, making this a rare opportunity for UAE audiences to experience Sudanese cinema in its original language with newly restored visuals. Tickets are available for purchase now.
GO: Visit https://cinemaakil.com for more information.