Damascus, SANA – The Syrian long-narrative “Cherry Messages” film won the award of the best work within the competitions of the Late Egyptian actor “Nour al-Sherif” Contest for the Arabic Film, one of the six official competitions of the 31st Alexandria Film Festival for Mediterranean Countries held in Alexandria, Egypt from 2 to 8 September.
Directed by Syrian Actress Sulaf Fawakherji, written by Nidal Qushha and acted by Ghassan Massoud, Mahmoud Nasser and others, “Cherry Messages” film narrates a romantic love story between Syrian young man and girl from the occupied Syrian Golan.
The story highlighted many prominent phases in the temporary history of Syria following the independence in 1946, the setback of June war 1967, October Liberation War in 1973, up till the events of 2013.
The film was chosen among some 23 film representing 17 Arab Countries.
Fawakherji expressed pleasure to journalists over being at the stage of Alexandria Library, describing it as a “traditional and huge place”.
She dedicated the award to her country, wishing Syria stability and prosperity soon.
The Festival Administration honored the Syrian drama icon Duraid Lahham, actress Sulaf Fawakherji and director Bassel al-Khateeb for their career process, as the winning film was greatly welcomed by the Egyptian critics, journalists and audience.
The symposium following the Film, premiered during the Festival, turned into a Syrian evening at its best, where journalists expressed solidarity with Syria in confronting terrorist organizations. Some of the Egyptian journalists and critics described President Bashar al-Assad as the Arab Nation Leader and the first defender of its dignity.
Charge d’affaires of Syrian Consulate in Cairo Riad Sneih said that the Syrian art has proven itself worthily amidst a distinguished number of participating works, having exposed honestly the reality of the Arab Nation and the legendary Syrian steadfastness.
He added that Syria is resisting everly single day through all life domains, stressing that all the honest Syrians are victory partners.
The Festival is organized by the Egyptian Association of Film Writers and Critics (EAFWC) and sponsored by the Egyptian Ministry of Culture in cooperation with Alexandria Governorate.
It is an annual event which aims to disseminate film culture and the progress achieved in various branches of film art and to strength the relations among filmmakers throughout the world in general and Mediterranean countries in particular.
R. Milhem/ Barry