Films from the Fertile Crescent

As the Sundance Film Festival fades away, many moviegoers are left with Cinemark's generic spring movies. Basically, this is a ticket into a world that we've all seen too many times: plotless teen romantic comedies, unenthusiastic crime dramas and the occasional over-budget period piece.

Those looking to save not only their popcorn money but also themselves from the boredom of trite cinema will have to go only as far as the Utah Museum of Fine Arts. Starting on Wednesday and running through March 28, the Middle East Center, the Museum of Fine Arts and the Salt Lake City Film Center are sponsoring "The Middle East Through its Films--2007."

Professor Laurence Loeb of the U's anthropology department founded the festival was four years ago. "I did it with the idea that the university had to find a way to reach out to the state with its important ideas--no lectures, but in a closer environment," Loeb said.

"I want the community of Salt Lake City to realize that the Middle East Center isn't here just for the U, but open to serve the public needs, as well," he said.

The 34-year veteran professor took the utmost care in picking the best foreign films to be included in this year's festival. Shying away from political films, Loeb said he prefers to examine movies with a message and a human element.

"Politics gives out a lot of racism, violence and fascism. The movies I want are the ones that have a better understanding of the Middle East through its different cultures and religions," Loeb said.

By previewing these films to the public, he hopes to fill the gap of understanding for many Americans with little or no knowledge of Middle-Eastern countries and their hardships. Unfortunately, not all of the Middle East is equally represented.

"Iran and Israel always pump out good films, but some other countries are inconsistent with their productions," Loeb said.

After a short introduction and screening of the film, Loeb will host an extensive discussion session in which audience members can interact with the professor and analyze some of the social and psychological issues present.

"There's a certain joy in interacting with the audience. It really is the ideal teaching situation," Loeb said.

Over the years, some of the discussions have been known to get heated and run overtime, but there are few who could say they walked away without a better understanding of Middle-Eastern issues.

The annual "Middle East Through its Films" showings have always been met with excitement and anticipation from not only the Middle East Center, but students across campus as well.

"Usually, we've had about 89 to 170 (people) in attendance," Loeb said.

All films will be previewed on Wednesdays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The lineup comprises "Ushpizin" (today), "Under the Moonlight" (Feb. 14), "The Closed Doors" (Feb. 28), "The Syrian Bride" (March 14) and "A New Day in Old Sana'a" (March 28).