WASHINGTON FILM INSTITUTE and
the Syrian American Council
cordially invite you to SYRIAN FILM NIGHT, RECEPTION,
AND DISCUSSION
FRIDAY 18 MARCH
US NAVY MEMORIAL THEATRE
701 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20004
MAP / DIRECTIONS / PARKING
LITTLE GANDHI
93 minutes, English and Arabic with English subtitles
Director: Sam Kadi
LITTLE GANDHI, directed by award winning director Sam Kadi (THE CITIZEN), tells the heart-wrenching tragic tale of iconic Syrian peace activist Ghiyath Matar. The story of Matar, dubbed “Little Gandhi” for his strict code of nonviolent protest, takes viewers through the Syrian people’s peaceful pursuit of freedom and democracy only to be met with live ammunition from the Syrian regime. While the documentary follows the story of one young peaceful man, it also reflects the plight of all Syrians in their long fight for freedom.
Join us for a special free screening of the film, discussion, and reception. The reception will begin at 6pm and will be followed by the film screening at 7pm and discussion afterwards.
DIRECTOR SAM KADI
Kadi – an “engineer by trade, filmmaker by choice,” he says – came to the United States from Syria in his ‘20s and began making short films and documentaries after a stint as a theatrical actor, writer, and director. He graduated from the Motion Picture Institute of Michigan in 2007 and wrote and directed several narrative and documentary films including the award-winning short film Raised Alone in 2009.
Last year, Kadi’s first narrative feature, The Citizen, debuted around the world. The Citizen, starring Cary Elwes, Agnes Bruckner, and Khaled Nabway, follows the story of an Arab immigrant who wins the American green card lottery and arrives in New York City on Sept. 10, 2001; the repercussions of 9/11 affect his dreams of a better life over the next 10 years. The Citizen is the winner of five awards on the festival circuit.
Kadi was acknowledged by the prestigious Foundation Cinema for Peace for raising awareness for human rights through his films and was invited to address the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands in June 2012.
In his films, Kadi said, he tries to portray issues that matter to people, and educate while also being as entertaining as possible. He finds film an effective medium to tell stories about human rights and other social issues because it takes viewers on a journey to see what others are going through, he said.
“I believe in the power of the people,” Kadi said. “Presenting these issues is essential, and it’s important for people to be aware of what’s going on in the world. If we don’t care about others, no one will care about us.”
SCHEDULE
6:00 – 7:00PM
Reception
7:00PM
Film Screening then Discussion with Director Sam Kadi
TICKETS:
Free RSVPs closed, but
Click to BUY a Ticket for a Seat Now ($25)