Mohamed Tarek, Artistic Director of Cairo International Film Festival, participated in a panel discussion titled « The State of Critique Today, in the Arab World and Beyond, » held inside the Egyptian Pavilion during the 79th Cannes Film Festival.
The list of speakers in the panel discussion included: Mohamed Tarek, film critic and Artistic Director of Cairo International Film Festival; Ahmed Shawky, President of the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI); Ahmed El Ayad, Saudi film critic and founder of the Fasla platform; and Thierry Meranger, French film critic and representative of « Cahiers du Cinéma » magazine. The session was moderated by Serbian-American journalist Kaja Grujic.
The panel took the form of a roundtable to discuss the state of film criticism in the MENA region and around the world today. It addressed the evolution of film criticism under current economic, digital, and cultural pressures.
During the session, Mohamed Tarek spoke about his writing methodology, stating: « When I write, I can’t really customize my review to suit the audience’s taste and current expectations. Yet, I always try to leave genuine critical pieces that can still be read and retain their analytical value even in 10 years. »
Participants engaged in an in-depth discussion about the challenges facing the structure of cinematic thought and criticism. They touched upon fundamental questions regarding the target audience for critical writing, the individuals qualified to practice this role today, and the impact of the modern digital space on shaping and directing artistic taste. Attendees emphasized the importance of building bridges between Arab and international critical schools to develop common concepts and keep pace with the rapid requirements of the digital age.
*About the Egyptian Pavilion at Cannes*
The Egyptian Pavilion is located in the « Pantiero » area overlooking the old port in the French city of Cannes, and comes as a joint initiative between Cairo International Film Festival, the Egypt Film Commission, and El Gouna Film Festival. The pavilion represents an important platform bringing together major Egyptian cinematic institutions to consolidate the Egyptian presence within the global film market, and open horizons for cooperation and co-production.
*About Cairo International Film Festival*
Cairo International Film Festival is held annually under the auspices of the Egyptian Ministry of Culture, and is classified as one of the most prestigious cinematic events in the Arab world and Africa. It is distinguished by being the only festival in the region registered under Category (A) in the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF). The festival represents a major platform to support and evaluate the film industry internationally, and provides a vital space for the convergence of cultures and the exchange of cinematic expertise.
