Damascus - Veteran French actress Catherine Deneuve said in
Damascus on Tuesday that she believes that cinema can help in
spreading love and peace among people all over the world.
'The cinema is the best way to know the other and accept
differences because knowing the other through films helps opening up
new horizons,' Deneuve told reporters during the 16th International
Damascus Film Festival.
Deneuve said 'the cinema should stay close to the culture,' so as
not to be subjected to outside influences and to avoid imitation,
adding that 'this is difficult for Syria.'
'However, producing few films is better than many films that are a
mere imitation of the US films,' added Deneuve, who was honoured at
the festival, which wraps up late Tuesday.
The 65-year-old actress expressed her willingness to work with
Arab directors. 'I have been working in the industry since 40 years,
if they want (to work with me), there is an opportunity.'
Deneuve recently highlighted the humanitarian concerns facing war-
ravaged Lebanon with 'Je Veux Voir', a movie filmed entirely in a
devastated village in southern Lebanon. The film is an account of the
horror the war has left in its wake.
Deneuve's film was screened on the sidelines of last month's
Middle East International Film Festival in Abu Dhabi.
'I felt like I was crushed by the consequences of war,' said
Deneuve, describing her experience of shooting the film.
'I have never seen remains of people in my life. It was useful to
see (what I saw), because we live in a spot in Europe that takes all
news from the media.'
Deneuve, who expressed her wish to visit Syria again, had last
visited the middle eastern country more than a decade ago.
This year's edition of the Damascus Film Festival kicked off on
November 1, marking the first annual session of the festival which
was previously held once every two years.
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