The Royal Film Commission – Jordan (RFC) and the Public Security Directorate signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Wednesday the 12th of June, renewing the “Cinema for All” project for one year. The MoU was signed at the Commissions’ premises by Princess Rym Ali, the RFC’s Interim Managing Director and Member of its Board of Commissioners, and Major General Fadel Hmoud, the Director of the Public Security Directorate.
The project aims to provide a cultural and entertaining activity for inmates that enables them to engage with the community outside the walls of the Correctional and Rehabilitation Centers, where similar functions rarely take place. The RFC screens a collection of Jordanian, Arab and international movies that fit the selection criteria of activities inside these Centers.
The signing of the MoU comes as a continuation of the project’s great success last year and its positive impact on the inmates. The RFC and the Public Security Directorate – represented by the management of the Centers – believe in the need to continue this program that falls within the Directorate’s orientations, providing social and cultural activities for the rehabilitation of inmates.
Princess Rym Ali stressed that the Commission pays particular attention to this project because it deals with a group in dire need for cultural activities that help reduce the psychological impact of their presence in these centers, as well as contribute to the rehabilitation process. She added that the inmates’ positive interaction and the selected movies call for further efforts to support the continuation and development of this project.
“Films are an essential part of culture, they can make a difference and build bridges of communication; providing such an opportunity for this group in a closed space is not less important than providing it to other members of the society. This is not merely a luxury or an entertainment but a means and a need”
HRH Princess Rym Ali concluded.
Major General Fadel Hmoud indicated that the Public Security Directorate adopts a participatory approach while working with various national institutions to achieve its reform strategy objectives, based on providing a suitable environment and different correctional programs in the Centers in order to rehabilitate the inmates before the end of their sentences, so as to become influential elements within their society.
Hmoud pointed out that the renewal of this MoU with the Royal Film Commission for the “Cinema for All” project came following the success of its first year. Such cinematic activities in the Rehabilitation Centers throughout the year were a unique cultural and humanitarian experience that directly addressed the inmates’ minds and awareness, especially that the selected films are suitable and in line with the desired objective of these screenings.
It is worth noting that during the previous edition of the “Cinema for All” project, the RFC has organized 45 film screenings that covered all the Centers in the Governorates across the Kingdom for approximately 3000 persons. The screenings were well received by inmates, who expressed the desire for more similar and regular events.
About The Royal Film Commission – Jordan:
The Royal Film Commission – Jordan (RFC) is a public institution, with administrative and financial autonomy, established in 2003 with a mandate to promote for and contribute to the development of an internationally competitive Jordanian audio-visual industry. The RFC organizes training workshops, screenings and provides production support services.
