Middle East
Information, reviews, and more about films from the Middle East, including the work of Abbas Kiarostami, director of "Taste of Cherry."
Caramel (Sukhar Banat)
Nadine Labaki's "Caramel" provides an intimate look at women's lives in modern day Lebanon: Muslim and Christian, rich and poor, young and old. As expected, these women laugh and cry and talk about love; but while formulaic in structure, the film is actually quite lovely.
Nadine Labaki's "Caramel" provides an intimate look at women's lives in modern day Lebanon: Muslim and Christian, rich and poor, young and old. As expected, these women laugh and cry and talk about love; but while formulaic in structure, the film is actually quite lovely.
The Band's Visit
A small Egyptian Police band arrives in Israel in Eran Kolirin's "The Band's Visit." They are suppose to play at an initiation ceremony but instead are left stranded at the airport. The band tries to make their way on their own, only to find themselves in a desolate, small Israeli town, somewhere in the heart of the desert.
A small Egyptian Police band arrives in Israel in Eran Kolirin's "The Band's Visit." They are suppose to play at an initiation ceremony but instead are left stranded at the airport. The band tries to make their way on their own, only to find themselves in a desolate, small Israeli town, somewhere in the heart of the desert.
Jellyfish
A film by Etgar Keret and Shira Geffen, "Jellyfish" tells the story of three very different Tel Aviv women whose intersecting stories weave an unlikely portrait of modern Israeli life. Winner of Camera d'Or at the 2007, "Jellyfish" will open theatrically in New York on April 4, 2008.
A film by Etgar Keret and Shira Geffen, "Jellyfish" tells the story of three very different Tel Aviv women whose intersecting stories weave an unlikely portrait of modern Israeli life. Winner of Camera d'Or at the 2007, "Jellyfish" will open theatrically in New York on April 4, 2008.
Close To Home
Two 18-year-old girls – reluctant partners – fulfill their compulsory military service patrolling the streets of Jerusalem in Vidi Bilu and Dalia Hager’s Close To Home. Sarah Bardin reviews this provoking coming of age film, set admist the back drop of war and the harsh realities of life in modern Israel.
Two 18-year-old girls – reluctant partners – fulfill their compulsory military service patrolling the streets of Jerusalem in Vidi Bilu and Dalia Hager’s Close To Home. Sarah Bardin reviews this provoking coming of age film, set admist the back drop of war and the harsh realities of life in modern Israel.
Paradise Now - Review
What drives people to become suicide bombers? Hany Abu-Assad's drama about two Palestinians who strap explosives to their bodies is an eye-opening exploration of the minds and hearts of two perfectly aimable slackers who turn into terrorists.
What drives people to become suicide bombers? Hany Abu-Assad's drama about two Palestinians who strap explosives to their bodies is an eye-opening exploration of the minds and hearts of two perfectly aimable slackers who turn into terrorists.
Turtles Can Fly - Review
Iranian director Bahman Ghobadi ("A Time for Drunken Horses") tells the story of a group of children trying to survive in the surreal world of a Kurdish refugee in the days before the Iraq war.
Iranian director Bahman Ghobadi ("A Time for Drunken Horses") tells the story of a group of children trying to survive in the surreal world of a Kurdish refugee in the days before the Iraq war.
In The Battlefields - Review
Danielle Arbid's "In The Battlefields" tells the story of a twelve-year-old girl whose troubles at home drown out the falling bombs of war-torn Beirut in the 1980s. The film screens at the New York Film Festival.
Danielle Arbid's "In The Battlefields" tells the story of a twelve-year-old girl whose troubles at home drown out the falling bombs of war-torn Beirut in the 1980s. The film screens at the New York Film Festival.
100 Percent Arabica
Mahmoud Zemmouri's new film is high spirited, fun, and also political.
Mahmoud Zemmouri's new film is high spirited, fun, and also political.
A Time for Drunken Horses
A major surprise: a film about the suffering and hard lot of Kurdish children that is one of the most emotionally engaging films I've seen all year.
A major surprise: a film about the suffering and hard lot of Kurdish children that is one of the most emotionally engaging films I've seen all year.
The Circle
Winner of the Venice Film Festival's coveted Golden Lion.
Winner of the Venice Film Festival's coveted Golden Lion.
Close Up
Directed by Abbas Kiarostami (Taste of Cherry, Through the Olive Trees), this Iranian film has been hailed as one of the best films of the just-passed decade.
Directed by Abbas Kiarostami (Taste of Cherry, Through the Olive Trees), this Iranian film has been hailed as one of the best films of the just-passed decade.
Crimson Gold
Jafar Panahi's "Crimson Gold" debuted at the New York Film Festival. The critically acclaimed story of an Iranian pizza delivery man opens in New York on January 16, 2004.
Jafar Panahi's "Crimson Gold" debuted at the New York Film Festival. The critically acclaimed story of an Iranian pizza delivery man opens in New York on January 16, 2004.
Divine Intervention
Palestinian writer-director Elia Suleiman paints a personal and absurd picture of the Middle East conflict in this controversial film.
Palestinian writer-director Elia Suleiman paints a personal and absurd picture of the Middle East conflict in this controversial film.
The Day I Became a Woman
With this disturbing portrayal of the role of women in Iran, director Marziyeh Meshkini reveals an exciting new voice in Iranian cinema.
With this disturbing portrayal of the role of women in Iran, director Marziyeh Meshkini reveals an exciting new voice in Iranian cinema.
Fallen Angels Paradise
The Marx Brothers with a switchblade and happy whores drive a stolen corpse through Egyptian nights. Ossama Fawzi's new movie makes being poor and dead look like a blast.
The Marx Brothers with a switchblade and happy whores drive a stolen corpse through Egyptian nights. Ossama Fawzi's new movie makes being poor and dead look like a blast.
Kandahar
Mohesen Makhmalbaf's film about one woman's journey into the heart of Taliban ruled Afghanistan is one the most powerful films of the year.
Mohesen Makhmalbaf's film about one woman's journey into the heart of Taliban ruled Afghanistan is one the most powerful films of the year.
Osama
A review of Siddiq Barmak's stunning debut feature "Osama." The stirring story of a young girl who disguises herself as a boy to provide for her all-female household in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan won Best Foreign Film at the 2004 Golden Globes.
A review of Siddiq Barmak's stunning debut feature "Osama." The stirring story of a young girl who disguises herself as a boy to provide for her all-female household in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan won Best Foreign Film at the 2004 Golden Globes.
Rana's Wedding
Palestinian director Hany Abu-Assad explores the complexity of life in occupied terrority in the story of Rana (Clara Khoury) in her journey to marry the man of her own choosing.
Palestinian director Hany Abu-Assad explores the complexity of life in occupied terrority in the story of Rana (Clara Khoury) in her journey to marry the man of her own choosing.
The Wind Will Carry Us
Abbas Kiarostami's wonderful film takes place in Siah Dareh, a village in Iranian Kuridstan.
Abbas Kiarostami's wonderful film takes place in Siah Dareh, a village in Iranian Kuridstan.
Through The Olive Trees
The 1994 film written and directed by Abbas Kiarostami.
The 1994 film written and directed by Abbas Kiarostami.
Arab Culture and Civilization Online Resource
An excellent resource devoted to Middle Eastern popular culture and the performing arts, offering quick time links to some of the more important films in Arab cinema.
An excellent resource devoted to Middle Eastern popular culture and the performing arts, offering quick time links to some of the more important films in Arab cinema.
An Interview with Abbas Kiarostami
Iranian filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami at the San Francisco film festival.
Iranian filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami at the San Francisco film festival.
Film International
A quarterly English magazine focusing on Iranian cinema.
A quarterly English magazine focusing on Iranian cinema.
Arab Film Distribution
Distributes cinemas of the Arab world in North America. Has films from North Africa including the Sudan. All films have English subtitles.
Distributes cinemas of the Arab world in North America. Has films from North Africa including the Sudan. All films have English subtitles.