Oscar-winning director Jim Sheridan: 'All artists are propagandists'
Oscar-winning Irish director Jim Sheridan, known for films such as 'My Left Foot', 'In the Name of the Father', and 'In America', gave a masterclass at the '2024 Qumra Film Days' organized by the Doha Film Institute. Sheridan stated, "I think all artists are propagandists. But propaganda should be in the service of a noble idea to advance humanity, rather than to protect one side against another."
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The event, moderated by former New York Film Festival director Richard Pena and held at the Museum of Islamic Art Auditorium in Doha, was attended by numerous amateur filmmakers and directors.
Director Jim Sheridan stated that he has presented Ireland's most turbulent periods to the audience through cinema, and expressed that all forms of violence will eventually defeat those who perpetrate it.
'ALL ARTISTS ARE PROPAGANDISTS'
Describing Casablanca as the best propaganda film ever made, Sheridan said, "Art can be in the service of right or wrong. I think all artists are propagandists. But propaganda should be in the service of a noble idea to advance humanity, rather than to protect one side against another."
'ALL EMOTIONS ARE INVISIBLE'
Pointing out that his love for cinema stemmed from a film projector he saw when he was young, Sheridan noted the following:
"At that time, I was fascinated by the technical aspects of cinema. I still believe that the magic of watching a film on a projector at 24 frames per second is different in a visual and spiritual sense. It has a hypnotic effect, and we know that the images are not manipulation. I think all emotions are invisible.
Therefore, if you are trying to capture what is invisible in every visual element, you reduce the actors' freedom of movement. This hinders their ability to convey emotion very precisely."
The event also featured a screening of the film "Geology of Separation" by directors Yosr Gasmi and Mauro Mazzocchi.
WHO IS JIM SHERIDAN?
Jim Sheridan won two Oscars with his first feature film, "My Left Foot" in 1989, while also reaching a wide audience. The director, who left unforgettable marks on cinema by adding elements of drama and entertainment to the problems experienced in his country, cemented his career success with the film "In the Name of the Father", which was awarded the "Golden Bear".
The master filmmaker was nominated for Golden Globe Awards, which are of great importance to the film industry, in 3 categories for 'The Boxer', and returned with awards from many festivals.
Sheridan, who was nominated for 3 Oscars with his film "In America", which he dedicated to his brother Frankie Sheridan, and won a total of 16 awards with this film, also has "The Field" and the 2005 film "Get Rich or Die Tryin'", which tells the life story of rapper 50 Cent and stars 50 Cent himself, in his filmography.