“This Most Reluctant of Romantic Cities” Dis-location Film Shooting in the Old City of Sana’a

Film festivals, including the European Film Festival held in Sana'a, Yemen, serve as platforms for cultural exchange and promotion of national cinema. The 2005 festival marked a significant milestone with the debut of Yemen's first feature-length film, 'A New Day in Old Sana'a,' directed by Bader Ben Steven. This study examines the intersection of film production and heritage preservation, highlighting the challenges and complexities of shooting films in UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the Old City of Sana'a. The research explores the impact of such events on local communities and the conservation of historical sites, using qualitative methods including participant observation and analysis of festival programming.

Caton, S. C. (2021). 5. “THIS MOST RELUCTANT OF ROMANTIC CITIES” Dis-location Film Shooting in the Old City of Sana’a. Anthropology, Film Industries, Modularity, 129–162. https://doi.org/10.1515/9781478092339-007