El Gouna Film Festival holds a symposium on film criticism after 100 years

As part of the activities of the eighth session of the El Gouna Film Festival, a session was held entitled “Film Criticism: Fibresi 100 Years”, moderated by critic Mohamed Tarek, Artistic Director of the Cairo International Film Festival, with the participation of President of the International Federation of Film Critics Ahmed Shawky, critic Ola Salva, and critic Dubravka Laktic, in the presence of an elite group of stars. Filmmakers include Ahmed Magdy and Youssef Othman, and Serbian critic Dubravka Lakic.

 

The dialogue began by emphasizing that film criticism is not just an analysis of films, but rather a space for understanding the image and appreciating art. Ahmed Shawqi pointed out that managing a federation that includes more than fifty countries is a major challenge, saying: “When we took charge of the federation, we had only 15 arbitration committees, and today we have reached 80 committees and we are seeking to reach 100, because we believe that criticism is part of development.” Cinema."

 

 

As for Dubravka Lakic, she stressed that criticism is a difficult profession because it “does not satisfy everyone,” adding: “Filmmakers do not always like us, but we write.” Honestly, because we love cinema as much as they love it.”

 

 

Ola Salva, in turn, spoke about her experience as a woman critic, explaining that her entry into the field was not easy: “When I started, it was difficult for a young woman to be accepted in this milieu. But the love of cinema kept me going. We are not enemies of directors, but rather part of the system that develops art."

 

 

The discussion touched on how to write film criticism, where Ahmed Shawky stressed that a true critic must possess a literary style and independent thought, saying: "True talent is not only in the language, but in choosing the idea that the critic discusses within the film. You have to know why you liked the film or why you didn’t, and translate this into an objective and honest analysis away from impressions. Superficiality.”

 

 

Dubravka added that critics must be “good writers before they can be analysts,” saying: “You must write honestly and intelligently, and keep The reader is interested until the last line, because criticism is not a description, but a dialogue between you and the reader about art. Deeply, the relationship between filmmakers and critics must be based on mutual respect.”

At the conclusion of the session, the speakers agreed that the future of film criticism depends on maintaining honesty and intellectual freedom in a time when digital platforms are accelerating, stressing that the critic will always remain a bridge that connects Between the creator and the audience, and between the image and the meaning it conceals.