We are pleased to present a special digital exhibition of distinctive posters from our Heritage Library’s Arab Cinema Archive.

This exhibition explores the art of film posters (affiches) that were a major advertising tool for movies, featuring a paper sheet with the title of the film and the names and images of its stars. Posters were displayed inside movie theaters or in outdoor public areas, giving a glimpse of the film’s story.

The exhibition also provides an overview of the emergence of this art in the Arab world. The industry was transferred from the hands of a group of Greek artists in Egypt to several Egyptian pioneers, including Ragheb, Jasoor, Ahmed Fouad and others, who mastered the trade and established an important chain of affiches workshops in the Arab region.

The Arab cinema posters in this exhibition address different themes and common issues among Arab countries, such as modernity, originality, social change and other matters related to humanitarian and national interests. They show the beginnings of filmmaking in the region and provide an account of the history of cinema and its development in the Arab world, as well as an overview of the beginnings of cinema in the Gulf.

The exhibition also highlights the works of Arab poster artists who reflected the spirit and characteristics of each era through attractive pieces of art, using a blend of brilliant colors, broad-font Arabic calligraphy and various graphics, all of which combined to greatly contribute to the success of these films.

We are pleased to invite you to visit and explore this unique exhibition on the digital totems situated next to the Young Adults Area. 

Date: 25 November 2020 until 16 November 2021

Time: During the Library’s opening hours

Language: Arabic and English

Target Audience: General public 

This is an open event; RSVP is not required