(MENAFN- Brazil-Arab News Agency (ANBA)) São Paulo – Isabel Fernández, director of one of the films being screened at the Arab World Film Festival, The Builders of Alhambra, will take part in a discussion next Saturday (16) following the screening of her feature film at CineSesc in São Paulo. Her documentary tells the story of the Alhambra fortress, built by the Arabs in the 14^th century in the city of Granada, in southern Spain.

Fernández is in Brazil to take part in the festival-organized by Sesc, state-run lender Banco do Brasil, and the Institute for Arab Culture (Icarabe), and sponsored by the Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (ABCC )-which this year marks its 20^th edition. On Thursday (14), she was welcomed by directors of the ABCC at the institution's headquarters in São Paulo and spoke with ANBA about the film, her connection to the Arab world, and her expectations for the audience Q&A.

Isabel Fernández: Director is in São Paulo to participate in the film festival

“If I could choose a direction for this discussion, it would be to examine how the history [depicted in the film] can contribute to present-day issues. Where we came from and where we are headed,” says the Spanish director. The Builders of Alhambra tells the story of those involved in building the fortress, highlighting the role of vizier and poet Ibn al-Khat.

The Barcelona-born director of other films and documentaries, such as La ciutat dels turistes (“City of Tourists,” 2017), Fernández explores issues in her work such as territorial occupation, immigration, and belonging, among other themes. Arab culture and history, which are part of Spain's heritage, are also subjects of interest and research for the filmmaker.

“I've always been drawn to Arab and Muslim art, and I feel fortunate to have been born in a place with such a rich crossroads of cultures. Our identity is wrapped in eight centuries of Arab culture, which fascinates me and should be explored,” says the filmmaker. The result of this interest was the creation of The Builders of Alhambra, a site that, despite being famous and a major tourist attraction, still had a story to tell.

During her meeting with leaders of the ABCC, Fernández discussed partnerships for future projects and support for promoting the film. Released at the end of 2022, the documentary has been screened in cities across Arab countries such as Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Algeria, Libya, and Tunisia. She now hopes the film will reach more theaters in Brazil.

The meeting with Fernández was attended by the ABCC's treasurer, Mohamad Abdouni Neto; Board member and curator of the Arab World Film Festival, Arthur Jafet; the Director of Institutional Relations, Fernanda Baltazar; the screenwriter and producer of the Lebanese film Arzé (2024), Louay Khraish; the coordinator of the Edward Said Chair at the Federal University of São Paulo (Unifesp), Javier Amadeo; and the fiscal advisor of Icarabe, Gabriel Bonduki.

Quick facts:

“The Builders of Alhambra,” Saturday (August 16), 5:30 PM
Discussion with director Isabel Fernández, Saturday, August 16, 7:20 PM
CineSesc – Rua Augusta, 2,075, São Paulo
More information on tickets, other screening times and locations, and films is available on the festival's website

Read more:
Arab World Film Fest opens with film on Palestine

Translated by Guilherme Miranda

Marcos Carrieri/ANBAMarcos Carrieri/ANBA

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