Faces Behind the Mask, 2022
Now more than ever in living memory have we been so aware of the masks we wear and the faces, the lives, and the secrets behind them. The moment we step onto the pavement, we mask up. Maybe it’s the polite smile to the stranger passing by, or the words we say to get through the day. This year, we wanted looks beyond the smile, beyond the words, beyond the covering we’re conditioned to wear. The mask, whatever form it takes, is what truth hides behind.
Thus, “FACES BEHIND THE MASK.”
The masks we wear are integral to how we navigate life, and FACES BEHIND THE MASK seeks to explore the realities they conceal, the facades they represent, and ways we bear them. What masks do we wear, and are we aware of their presence? How do these masks change, day by day, hour by hour, person to person? How can we see through the mask, and get at what is in the dark? Through film, and the privileged perspective it gives us, the CMU IFF hopes to answer these questions, and ask all of us to reflect on our own masks, and their role in our lives.
Casablanca Beats (Haut et Fort)
Event includes a Q&A with director Nabil Ayouch moderated by Dr. Nevine Abraham, CMU Arabic Studies Professor & Opening Night Reception catered by Ali Baba Restaurant
Trenches
Event includes a panel discussion with Will Zavala, Pitt Film and Media Studies Professor and Director of Pittsburgh Documentary Salon, Dr. Adriana Helbig, Pitt Chair of the Department of Music, and Dr. Tetyana Shlikhar, Pitt Salvic Languages and Literatures Professor, moderated by Dr. Emanuela Grama, CMU History Professor and Director of Global Studies
Leave No Traces
Event includes a Q&A with director Jan P. Matuszynski moderated by Dr. Agnieszka Jezyk, University of Toronto Slavic Languages and Literatures Professor
Pebbles
Event includes a Q&A with director P.S. Vinothraj, co-moderated by Anjana Kankanala, Master’s student in Entertainment Industry, and Mashia Mazumder, President of CMU's Feminists Engaged in Multicultural Matters and Education
The Devil’s Drivers
Event includes a panel discussion with Dr. Daniel Silverman, CMU Institute for Politics and Strategy Professor, Ethan Pullman, CMU Senior Lecturer of Arabic and Librarian, and Dr. Mark Fichman, Chair of J Street Pittsburgh, moderated by Dr. Mohammed Bamyeh, Pitt Sociology Professor
Luzzu
Event includes discussion with Jolanta Lion, CMU IFF Director and Pitt Slavic Languages & Literature instructor, and members of CMU IFF team.
Plaza Catedral
April 02: Event includes a Q&A with director Abner Benaim moderated by Francisco Javier Bonilla, CMU History Doctoral Candidate & Food Reception catered by Cilantro & Ajo.
April 06: Event includes discussion moderated by Will Zavala, Pitt Film and Media Studies Professor and Director of Pittsburgh Documentary Salon, and Jose Muniain, Producer - Director at MakeMedia
