Doha, Qatar: The Embassy of Italy in Doha on Wednesday opened the new six-part cultural film series “She Reel: Women in Society” with a special screening of “Sinceramente, Gae (2022)”, a documentary tribute to the renowned Italian architect and designer Gae Aulenti, at the Katara Cultural Village.
The screening is a joint cultural initiative of Italy, France, and Germany, dedicated to exploring the role and representation of women in contemporary and historical societies.
Gae Aulenti, one of the most influential figures in 20th-century architecture and design, is best known for transforming the historic Gare d’Orsay railway station in Paris into the iconic Musée d’Orsay, a landmark project in architectural reuse.
She also lent her name to Piazza Gae Aulenti in Milan’s Porta Nuova district, a major urban regeneration project in which the Qatar Investment Authority is a key investor.
Her versatile career spanned architecture, interior and industrial design, and stage design, including notable collaborations with theatre director Luca Ronconi.
The documentary highlights her independent vision that consistently challenged conventions and left a lasting imprint on the fields of architecture and design.
Following the screening, a panel discussion featuring prominent Qatari professionals: CEO of Arab Engineering Bureau (AEB) Ibrahim Mohamed Jaidah and Shaikha Al Sulaiti, Creative Designer. The discussion was moderated by Federica Cellini Toschi.
The panel offered insightful reflections on architecture, design, creativity, and gender in the profession.
A reception was later held in the theater foyer, offering guests a selection of Italian culinary specialties and an opportunity for networking with international and local attendees.
The Italian Embassy described the event as “a timely occasion to reflect on creativity, gender, and cultural legacy” through the story of a woman who quietly redefined the boundaries of her discipline.
The screening at the prestigious Katara venue also aimed to foster dialogue between Italian cultural excellence and broader international conversations on women’s roles in the arts.
The initiative underscores the strong cultural ties between Qatar and Italy, using cinema as a bridge to celebrate pioneering women and promote cross-cultural exchange in the arts and architecture.
