Director

Mohammad Malas

Born 1945

Mohamad Malas, born in Qounaytra, studied at the Cinema Academy in Moscow. He did three movies during his studies: Ahlam Madina Saghira, Al Yawm Al Sabeeh, and Al Kol fi Makanihi w Kol Chayi’e Ala ma Youram Sayidi Al Dabet. He finished his studies in 1974. He did, for television, three short documentaries and Novelist movies: Qounaytra 74, Al Zakira, and Fourat. His notable documentary is Al Manam, filmed in the Palestinian Camps in 1980. In 1984, he directed his first long documentary, Ahlam Madina, which won the “Golden Tanit“ Prize at the Carthage Cinema Festival and the "Golden Palm” at the Valencia Festival in Spain. In 1992, he directed his long Novelist movie Al Layl, which also won the “Golden Tanit” Prize at the Carthage Cinema Festival. He also did the Bab Al Makam film in 2005, which won the Jury’s Prize at the Marakish International Festival in 2006. His latest long Novelist work, Al Mahd, in 2008, was screened for the first time in Beirut. “I consider myself a storyteller rather than a professional producer.” AWARDS The documentary Ahlam Madina won the “Golden Tanit “Prize at the Carthage Cinema Festival and the "Golden Palm” at the Valencia Festival in Spain. The film Al Layl won the Golden Tanit Prize at the Carthage Cinema Festival. The film Bab Al Makam won the Jury’s Prize at the Marakish International Festival in 2006.