TUNIS: The 27th edition of Carthage Film Festival opened on Friday with the screening of ‘Fleur d’Alep’ (The Flower of Aleppo) by Tunisian director Ridha Behi in Tunis.
There are 68 films in competition in various sections until Nov. 5, with screenings and other events in various locations across the country. The program has been put together by film director Mohamed Challouf, who has been tasked with restoring the festival to its original splendour in honor of its 50th anniversary this year.
A total of 18 films will participate in the feature film competition (Gold Tanit Award), which this year is headed by Mauritanian filmmaker and producer Abderrahmane Sissako. The jury comprises six other members among them Egyptian director Khaled Youssef.
As for the short film competition, it comprises 19 films, including Saudi film ‘Retribution’ by Abdullah Abuljadail.
In addition, a total of 13 films are competing in the first feature film category, among them the prize-winning Saudi romcom ‘Barakah Meets Barakah’ by Mahmoud Sabbagh.
Novelties include numerous parallel sections, homages to directors of the past, an overview of prizewinning films from previous editions and a special focus on Russian and Asian cinema. A special prize will be awarded to Tunisian director Ferid Boughdir for his passion for cinema and commitment to the Carthage Film Festival.
Saudi cinema strongly present at Carthage
Saudi cinema strongly present at Carthage
6 planets will parade across the night sky at the end of February
NEW YORK: Six planets are linking up in the sky at the end of February, and most will be visible to the naked eye.
It’s what’s known as a planetary parade, which happens when multiple planets appear to line up in the sky at once. The planets aren’t in a straight line, but are close together on one side of the sun.
Skygazers can usually spot two or three planets after sunset, according to NASA. Hangouts of four or five that can be glimpsed with the naked eye are less common and occur every few years. Last year featured lineups of six and all seven planets.
When will they be visible?
On Saturday, Mercury, Venus, Jupiter and Saturn will be visible to the naked eye if clear skies allow. Uranus and Neptune can only be spotted with binoculars and telescopes.
What time is optimal for viewing?
Go outside about an hour after sunset and venture away from tall buildings and trees that will block the view. Look to the western sky and spot Mercury, Venus and Saturn close to the horizon. Jupiter will be higher up, along with Uranus and Neptune.
How to know if you’ve spied a member of the parade?
“If it’s twinkling, it’s a star. If it is not twinkling, it’s a planet,” said planetary scientist Sara Mazrouei with Humber Polytechnic in Canada.
The parade should be visible over the weekend and in the days after. Eventually, Mercury will bow out and dip below the horizon.
At least one bright planet is visible on most nights, according to NASA.
Glimpsing many in the sky at once is a fun way to connect with astronomers of centuries’ past, said planetary scientist Emily Elizondo with Michigan State University.
Ancient astronomers used to make sense of the universe “just by looking up at the stars and the planets,” Elizondo said, “which is something that we can do today.”
