The Sudanese Film Group, Arba’a Marat Lil Atfal (Four Times For Children) (1979), Sudan
Eltayeb Mahdi's film ARBA'A MARAT LIL ATFAL depicts the everyday life of that time in institutions and schools for children with physical disabilities or learning difficulties. The film showcases children in the classroom, where subjects such as art, crafts, and language are taught. Additionally, it captures the lively activities on the school playground, as well as scenes of physiotherapy and the use of assistive devices. - Arsenal Berlin.
About The Sudanese Film Group
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, a group of filmmakers working in the film department of the Ministry of Culture published the magazine CINEMA. In April 1989, this group founded the Sudanese Film Group (SFG) to operate independently from the state. Their goal was to be involved in all aspects of film production, exhibition, and education, aiming to sustain the passion of Sudanese people for cinema. However, on June 30, 1989, a coup that brought suspicion towards all forms of art terminated all cultural endeavors. All civil society organizations were banned. In 2005, the state's grip loosened somewhat, allowing the SFG to register once again.
SUDANESE FILM GROUP in Exile
On April 15 2023, war erupted in Sudan between two rival military factions. Hopes for a democratic transition, ignited in 2019 by the overthrow of dictator Al-Bashir, have been crushed in a few short months. By July 2023, over 3.5 million people had been displaced internally or across borders. Documented casualties stand at 12,500 injured, with civilian deaths of over 1000.
Two members of the Sudanese Film Group, Suliman Elnour and Ibrahim Shaddad, had to leave Sudan. Driven by fear of the imminent danger for their lives they abandoned their work, their archives, their premises and all their worldly possessions and escaped with their families to Egypt in June 2023. Since their exile in Cairo they have been trying to surmount the war trauma, coordinate their stay in Egypt and resume their work. Together with five other members of the SFG, three of them also recently fled the country, they are now trying to integrate within the Egyptian film community, exhibit their work and make new relevant films.
We hope that screening of this film at Cinema For All Pavilion raises awareness as to what is going on in Sudan and plight of the Sudanese people. The screenign fee for the loan supports the Sudanese Film Group. Should you want to find out more please visit https://www.arsenal-berlin.de/en/news/sudanese-film-group-im-exil/
Contact: mail@arsenal-berlin.de
Members of the Sudanese Film Group at the Forum Expanded 2019 © Kay Strasser