MEMRI-Arab Movies Blog

Arab-American actor: Arab community should invested in its cinema to counter Arab stereotypes

2008-01-04T17:18:00.000-08:00

"Tony Shaloub, actor and producer of hit US show Monk, [...] said it was vital that the Arab community invested in its cinema to counter Arab stereotypes in the West and presented its own stories.

"He was speaking ahead of the screening of AmericanEast, a film about Arab-Americans living in post 9/11 Los Angeles which made its Middle East premiere last night. 'There is a drought of Arab-American films,' said Shaloub. 'So many times Arab-Americans are stereotyped. We need to get some of these stories told.'

"Rather than waiting for Hollywood to make those films, he believes that the Arab and Arab-American community should begin making those movies. It was this belief that apparently pushed AmericanEast to be made. [...]"

Source: Khaleej Times (UAE), December 11, 2007

2007 Ten Moroccan Blockbuster Movies

2008-01-02T18:01:00.000-08:00

Les Anges de Satan (Satan's Angels), by Ahmed Boulane
Nancy et le monstre (Nancy and the monster), by Mohamed Frites
Parfum de mer (The Perfume of the Sea), by Abdelhai Laraki
Moroccan dream, by Jamal Belmejdoud
Abdou chez les Almohades (Abdou at the Ablouhades'), by Said Naciri
Wake up Morocco, by Narjiss Nejjar
WWW What a wonderful world, by Faouzi Bensaidi
L'enfant endormi (The sleepy child), by Yasmine Kessari
La Simphonie marocaine (The Moroccan Symphony), by Kamal Kamal
Real Premonition, by Ahmed Ziad

Baghdad International Film Festival

2007-12-29T19:43:00.000-08:00

"French short film 'La Danse, l'art de la rencontre' (Dance and the Art of Encounters) won first prize at the four-day Baghdad international film festival which ended on Saturday. Domenica Hervieu's documentary, a poetic exploration of the world of dance, was followed by 'Abu Ghraib and Kilo 160', a documentary by Iraqi director M. Nafs, the president of the jury Akil Mahdi announced. The film by Nafs tells the tragic story of Iraq's 14-member taekwondo team who were kidnapped and slaughtered in the western Anbar province in 2006 as they returned from a competition in Jordan. The bodies of 13 of the team were found earlier this year

"In third place was 'Palm Whisper' by Egyptian director Shireen Shaith. Nafs was the only winner present at the awards ceremony, which was held under tight security. The festival, held at Baghdad's Palestine Hotel, screened 63 films from around the world. [...]

"The Iraqi film industry dates back to the 1940s and was at its most popular in the 1970s and 1980s, when going to the cinema became a weekly family outing.However the 1991 Gulf war and the economic sanctions that followed saw cinemas go into decline. The turmoil that followed the 2003 invasion saw many cinemas burned down."

Source: AFP, December 29, 2007

"Chaos" and "Lola": two striking movies presented at the Dubai International Film Festival

2007-12-29T19:32:00.000-08:00

"Some of the most interesting features at the 2007 Dubai International Film Festival were noncompetition films. Among them were two movies, 'Heya Fawda' ('Chaos') and 'Whatever Lola Wants,' that are striking for their similarities and contrasts. The differences between the two films are obvious, not least the filmmakers themselves. With an output of over 40 films, 81-year-old Youssef Chahine, co-director of "Chaos," is an icon in his native Egypt and lauded worldwide.

"Nabil Ayouch, the 39-year-old writer and director of 'Lola,' is one of the rising stars of Moroccan cinema, whose two-feature portfolio - 1997's "Mektoub" and 2000's 'Ali Zaoua: Prince of the Streets' - are festival and art-house favorites.

" 'Chaos' and 'Lola' do have superficial similarities. Each has been deliberately set in Cairo and ambivalently received in the directors' countries of origin.

" 'Chaos' screened in Dubai, along with Chahine's 1958 classic film 'Bab al-Hadid' ("Cairo Station"), as part of the run-up to his receiving the Dubai festival's lifetime achievement award. The film's Egyptian cinematic release corresponded with the Cairo International Film Festival earlier in the month but 'Chaos' snubbed the event, screening his film a week later at the film festival in Marrakesh.

" 'Lola' did screen late at the Marrakech Film Festival, but it received its world premiere in Dubai (Marrakech's 'competition'), where - as the centerpiece of the festival's Arabian Nights program - it was given a gala screening. [...]

"A story of corruption and unrequited love, 'Chaos' has been feted in Cairo as Youssef Chahine's "return to Egypt" - that is, after helming a series of high-profile autobiographical films, this one once again takes Egyptian society as its subject. [...]

" 'Lola' is about as formulaic a romantic comedy as you'd find anywhere. Many of Ayouch's fans and supporters at the Dubai festival were bewildered that, after seven years in the relative anonymity of Moroccan television and film production, this gifted artist's return to the helm should produce, well, a Hollywood-style movie. [...]

Source: Daily Star (Lebanon), December 29, 2007

Lollywood: The Pakistani Hollywood

2007-12-27T13:18:00.000-08:00

Lollywood is the name given to the Pakistani film industry, which is based in the city of Lahore. Watch hereby a Lollywood's video:

Pakistani Movies

2007-12-27T13:15:00.000-08:00

"[...] In the 70s and early 80s, the [Pakistani movie] industry boasted eleven studios that produced over a hundred films annually. But in the face of stiff competition via the recent spread of cable television and the influx of pirated Bollywood videos, Lollywood's annual output has dropped to forty films -- produced by a single studio. (www.commonwealth.org.uk) [...]"

Source: bollywhat.com

A look at Pakistan Film Industry

2007-12-27T13:08:00.000-08:00

"Pakistan's film industry is often described as hapless. Dubbed 'Lollywood' for its base in the city of Lahore, it doesn't compare with the thriving art, literature, and music scene of this cultural hot spot in the heart of Punjab Province. Funds are short, and movies are painfully formulaic. In fact, if film reflects a culture, then to outside observers Pakistan's collective psyche would seem to be fixated on love songs, dancing, and fistfights where good always defeats evil: something of a simplistic society. But in a country where poverty, illiteracy, religious fundamentalism, and population growth are all serious issues, the movie image circumvents reality. Films remain strictly escapist and stick to fun, frolic, true love, and heroism. [...]"

Source: National Geographic

Il était une fois dans l'Oued: A French-Algerian Comedy on Identity

2007-12-24T12:54:00.000-08:00

Il était une fois dans l'Oued (Once upon a time in the Oued)

Director: Djamel Bensalah
Script Writer: Djamel Bensalah and Abdelkrim Brahmi
Cast: Julien Courbey, Sid Ahmed Agoumi, David Saracino, Karina Testa, Marilou Berry, Amina Annabi, Medy Kerouani
Release Year: 2005
Genre: Comedy
Country: Algeria-France
Time: 93 min

About the Movie: "Once Upon a Time in the Oued shows the affectionately comic side of being the French-born child of tradition-bound Algerian and Moroccan immigrants to France, ca. 1988. Narrated by a scrawny, blond-haired Christian [..] [youngster] who desperately wishes he was a Muslim [Algerian] [...].

"When handsome Yacine (David Saracino) reluctantly accompanies his family to Algeria for the summer, his irrepressible pal, Johnny Leclerc (Julien Courbey), stows away [illegally] on the ferry. On board, the two lads meet serious looker Nadia (Karina Testa) and her zaftig friend Nadege (Marilou Berry).

"[...] Humor revolves around Yacine studiously avoiding an arranged marriage; his little brother being sneak-circumcised at age 9; [...] Arab-o-centric narrative also takes pains to include a thoughtful, if brief, nod to the inherent idiocy of anti-Semitism. [...]" Source: Variaty

About the Movie Director: Djamel Bensalah is a well-known French Movie Director of Algerian origins.

Beur Blanc Rouge: A movie on Second generation Immigrants in Europe

2007-12-24T07:59:00.001-08:00

Beur Blanc Rouge

Director: Mahmoud Zemmouri

Script Writer: Mahmoud Zemmouri

Cast: Yasmine Belmadi, Karim Belkhadra, Julien Courbey. Fatima Hellilou, Abdallag Bouzida, Chafia Boudraa, Aymen Saidi, Sabrina Maache, Biyouna, Mouss, Yacine Mesbah, Annie Savarin, Kamel Bouakkaz, Rabah Loucif

Release Year: 2006

Genre: Comedy

Country: France-Algeria

Time: 1h 28min

About the Movie: "[Beur Blanc Rouge] is a comedy about young Algerians in France. The main character is handsome, unemployed Ibrahim. He is living in anticipation of the soccer match between Algeria and France. Of course, he's rooting for Algeria, but he's never been there and he doesn't speak Arabic.

"One of the funniest scenes is his insistence on singing the Algerian national anthem at the stands before the match even though he doesn't know all the words. But when Ibrahim is stopped by a policeman because he's flying three Algerian flags on his car, he shouts back that he's French.

"He also re-discovers his Frenchness when he attempts to enter Algeria with his French passport with no visa. The film deals with Ibrahim's dual identity lightly, as befits a comedy. Ibrahim is apolitical (he refuses to go the mosque where he could get free tickets to the soccer match and free jerseys donated by Zem Zem Cola), lost, and stuck without any prospects.

"To convince him to go to Algeria, his mother yells at him at some point: 'your name is Ibrahim and you have this face and you think you will get anywhere in France?' [...]" Source: arabwomanprogressivevoice.blogspot.com

About the Movie Director: Mahmoud Zemmouri is a well-known Algerian movie Director, living in France.

Official Movie Web Site: http://www.beurblancrouge-lefilm.com/

Read about other Movies by Mahmoud Zemmouri:

100% Arabica

http://memriarabmovies.blogspot.com/search?q=arabica

Marock: A Moroccan Movie against Obscurantism

2007-12-22T18:24:00.000-08:00

Marock

Director: Laila Marrakchi
Script Writer: Laila Marrakchi
Cast: Morjana Alaoui, Matthieu Boujenah, Razika Simozrag, Assad Bouad, Fatim Layachi, Rachid Benhaissan, Khalid Maadur, Michael Souda
Release Year: 2005
Genre: Drama/Romance
Country: Morocco
Time: 100 min

About the Movie: "[...] The movie "Marock" - a word play on Maroc (French for Morocco ) and rock music - by young film director Leila Marrakshi. The movie brings to light the division within Moroccan society - which is in a way reflected in the wider Arab and Muslim worlds - between modernism and obscurantism, between liberals and Islamists, and between pluralism of religion and the prevention of it. The plot of 'Marock' publicly breaks many of Moroccan society's taboos. Rita, the protagonist, is a 17-year-old girl who has just finished high school. She wants to enjoy the summer with her friends, hanging around in the city of Casablanca, drinking alcohol - like many Moroccans do, as wine is available in many supermarkets - and looking for guys. She has all the dreams and frustrations of any normal teenager. [...]" Source: Daily Star (Lebanon), by Anna Mahjar-Barducci, October 17, 2006

About the Director: Born in Casablanca in 1975. She has received international accolades for her short films that focus on a wide variety of aspects of Moroccan life. In her feature film debut, ‘Marock’, she reflects upon memories of her own schooldays at the end of the 1990’s. Previously produced ‘L’Horizon perdu’ (2000), ‘Deux cents dirhams’ (2002), ‘Momo Mambo’ (2003). Source: http://www.arabfilmfestival.nl/

Egyptian actress opens café for women off-limits to unveiled and Christian females

2007-12-20T18:39:00.000-08:00

"An Egyptian veiled actress has stirred waves of anger, especially among Egyptian Copts, after opening a posh café for women that is off-limits to unveiled and Christian females.

"Several Egyptian Internet forums and chat rooms have launched a campaign against the actress Hanan Turk, accusing her of damaging the country’s national unity and supporting claims of maltreatment to the Christian minority, according to Kuwaiti daily al-Nihar Tuesday December 18. Some blogs are calling for stand-in protests in front of the 'Girls’ Café' located at the Helioples neighborhood, east of the Egyptian Capital. Anti-hijab websites and blogs also took the chance to assert their claim 'the so-called Islamic dress code for women is a sort of business'.

"One of the blogs accused Turk outright of stirring a sectarian strife and emphasizing the gap among the poor and rich in the biggest Arab country, in a reference to the skyrocketing prices of the clothes and accessories of veiled women. Turk has campaigned for her café with an e-mail sent out to mail groups in Egypt, a copy of which was received by an Egyptian journalist with the daily Rozalyoussef. The e-mail goes: “Now there is a café where Muslim girls and women can go out to. Girls’ Café is a beautiful place where you can find food, drinks but no music or movies. It is not allowed for women without hijab to come in, so it is a safe place for 'munaqqabat' (Arabic word for completely covered women). In Girls Café, you have a chance to meet Hanan Turk! Please, do not bring Christian girls along as they are not allowed!' [...]".

Source: Al Arabiya (Saudi-owned, Dubai-based), December 18, 2007

A new Moroccan cinema built on broken taboos

2007-12-19T18:22:00.000-08:00

"There are still plenty of taboos in Arab societies and most of them have to do with women. [...]

"The strength of Latif Lahlou's latest film, 'Samira fi Dayaa (Samira's Garden),' lies in the manner with which the veteran director, who also co-wrote the screenplay, takes one obvious taboo and coils another one inside of it. The film breaks the first one quite easily, and acknowledges that it was already critically cracked long ago. But once those pieces fall open, viewers are left with a second taboo - a man's refusal to deal with the fact that his own sexual agency has failed him - that proves more difficult to dismantle.

" Samira's Garden screened at the Marrakesh International Film Festival on Sunday and is the only Moroccan movie being fielded in the competition. (It already scooped a critics' guild prize at this year's Films of the World Festival in Montreal, along with two acting awards at the Moroccan National Film Festival in Tangier two months ago). To hang the weight of a country's burgeoning cinema scene on a film about impotency would seem a daring move, but fortuitously Lahlou's is a daring film. [...]"

Source: Daily Star (Lebanon), December 14, 2007

Lebanese film wins top prize at Dubai Festival

2007-12-17T17:34:00.000-08:00

Lebanese film "Taht el Qasef" ("Under Bombing") directed by Philippe Aractingi won the top prize at the fourth Dubai international film festival.

Training Morocco's Next Generation of Film-Makers

2007-12-17T17:26:00.000-08:00

"Prince Moulay Rachid of Morocco, younger brother of King Mohammad VI and president of the Marrakesh International Film Festival Foundation, snipped symbolic red and green ribbons on Sunday to mark the official inauguration of Marrakesh's new School of Visual Arts, better known as the Ecole Superieure des Arts Visuels (ESAV).

"The first proper film school of its kind in Morocco, ESAV moved out of its cramped quarters in the old city two months ago and has now taken up residence in an expansive new campus located in the northern part of Marrakesh. [...]"

Source: The Daily Star (Lebanon), December 15, 2007

Jurist decries politicized Dubai Film awards

2007-12-17T17:14:00.000-08:00

"An Egyptian writer and jurist at the 4th Dubai International Film Festival lashed at the criteria set for giving awards to winning movies, arguing the standards were more political than artistic or cinematic.

"Dr. Miral Al-Tahawy told AlArabiya.net that she voted against movies from Egypt because of their artistic shortcomings, but was surprised to find other jurists voting for equally flawed Lebanese movies and giving them awards 'out of solidarity with Hezbollah'.'Politicizing the awards harms the festival's reputation after it managed in the last 3 years to assert its presence among Arab and International film festivals.'

"Tahawy was particularly concerned at Borhane Alaouie's 'Khalass' which was awarded Best Screenplay and Best Editing: 'Some of the jurists saw the director's patriotic background reason enough for giving the awards. They wanted to get him out of the frustration he's been suffering for years. These are not artistic criteria'. [...]

"Tahawy said the same reasons were behind naming Philippe Aractingi's 'Taht Al-Qasf' (Under the Bombs) Best Arab Film. The film takes place during the 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel. The film's star Nada Abu-Farhat got Best Actress. 'There were much better films that didn't get any awards, although I'm sure they will in other festivals. The French-Algerian 'Yellow House' is a good example'. [...]

"The Dubai Film Festival ended it's 4th round Saturday December 15th, 2007 with a Lebanese sweep. Among the Arab movies that participated in the competition were the Moroccan 'Al-Kouloub Al-Mohtareqa' (Burnt Hearts), the Tunisian 'Akher Film' (The Last Movie), the Syrian 'Kharej Al-Taghteya' (Out of Coverage), and the Egyptian 'Shaqet Masr El-Gedida' (The Heliopolis Flat) and 'Alwan El-Sama El-Sabaa' (Colors of the Seven Heavens)."

Official Dubai Film Festival Web Site: http://www.dubaifilmfest.com/

Source: Al Arabiya (Saudi-owned, Dubai-based), December 17, 2007

"The white hawk" project put in the shelves

2007-12-17T16:53:00.000-08:00

"This year's celebration of El Emir Abdelkader's allegiance paid to him by the Algerian people was intended to mark the kick off of the film dedicated to him put in the shelves for so many years.

"The minister of culture Ms Khalida Toumi has, officially announced the resuming of this old artistic project in a press conference after having called upon M. Boualem Bessayeh to write the script of this giant project pending a director and a producer to start the shooting. But this long awaited event doesn't seem to materialize so far. Asked about the project, well informed sources from the ministry of culture said that this one counts among the major projects of the Algerian president, and nobody knows about the details except the minister herself.

"For his part, the head of the film industry department at the ministry M. Karim Ait Meziane denied in previous declarations that the movie would be part of the event 'Algiers, capital of Arab culture2007', while unnamed sources revealed that the project was topped a priority of the event. The overall amount of money allotted by the president Bouteflika was estimated at around USD 5 million. [...]"

Source: Echorouk (Algeria), December 15, 2007

"Arab film replaces Bin Laden with Bellydancing"

2007-12-14T19:13:00.000-08:00

"No bombs. No bloodshed. No bin Laden. Belly dancing is the theme Moroccan director Nabil Ayouch says can best communicate the Arab world to the West and reconcile cultural differences. 'Whatever Lola Wants,' Ayouch's story of an American woman who encounters Arab life through belly dancing lessons, premiered at the Dubai International Film Festival this week, impressing many critics. [...]

" 'It's so much better to give the image of the Arab world through belly dancing than Osama bin Laden... it's all a question of misunderstanding and it's not because we are different, we can't talk or understand each other,' he [Nabil Ayouch] said. Ayouch hopes Lola will make it in Hollywood. [...] 'Most of the movies I have seen in America about the Arab world are always talking about the same matters -- terrorism, bombings, arms, fighting -- but what Lola carries back with her to New York is belly dancing,' he said. [...]"

Marrakesh film festival captivates crowds with quality cinema

2007-12-14T19:07:00.000-08:00

"[...] The Marrakesh International Film Festival, which opened with an opulent ceremony at the Palais des Congres Friday night, comes too late in the year to host an onslaught of world premieres. It is too young - and geographically too far removed from the power centers that fuel the global movie business - to be a major player like Cannes.

"In terms of regional standing, it doesn't have the institutional status of Cairo, Damascus, Tangier or Carthage. It doesn't have the money to make a splash the size of the new film festivals in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. But it does have the chance to forge a reputation as a platform for discovery and a forum for film lovers. Judging from the primary lineup of more than 100 films and the secondary schedule of master classes and other related events, the festival in Marrakesh is taking full advantage of that opportunity.

"Of course, the opening reception on Friday night did radiate a considerable amount of celebrity heat. Martin Scorsese awarded a Golden Star statuette to Leonardo Di Caprio, who has been in Morocco for the past three months shooting "Body of Lies," Ridley Scott's forthcoming feature about the war in Iraq, in which the Hollywood heartthrob stars alongside Russell Crowe. [...]

"But otherwise, the festival seems concerned with content and craft over glitz and glamour. It is coursing through key moments of beauty, intrigue and intensity, much like the pacing of vivid scenes in a memorable film. One such moment was Sunday night's open-air screening of Ahmed al-Maanouni's "Transes" on Jemaa al-Fna, Marrakesh's enormous, jostling public square located at the mouth of the old city's labyrinthine souk.

" "Transes," titled "Al-Hal" in Arabic and "Trances" in English, is a 1981 documentary about Nass al-Ghiwane, a group of five musicians from the Hay al-Mohammadi neighborhood of Casablanca that formed in the 1960s and became legendary in the 1970s for their mesmerizing blend of Sufi chants, Gnawa beats, Aita intonations and Melhoun poetry. Maanouni's film catches up with Nass al-Ghiwane just after the death of one the group's founding members, Boujemaa Hagour, in 1974. Much more than a concert film, "Transes" pieces together a collage of wild performances, candid interviews, roaming street shots and deeply historical archival footage, all of which digs into the roots of the music. [...]"

The Marrakesh International Film Festival continues through December 15. For more information, please call +212 24 324 493 or check out http://www.festivalmarrakech.info/

Delice Paloma: Algerian film tackles prostitution, homosexuality

2007-12-11T12:41:00.000-08:00

"A new government-funded movie about prostitution and homosexuality, in which a well-known actress takes on the role of a shrewd madam, has stirred controversy in the conservative Algerian society. Algerian movie star Biyouna plays a whore called Madame Aldjeria (Algeria) in the movie, Delice Paloma. Paloma is the name of one of the prostitutes in the network, who Aldjeria uses to lure men. She is dubbed 'delice' (sweet).

"In one of the scenes, Biyouna - known for her benign roles in comedies - appears wearing a dress with the colors of the Algerian flag. Critics accuse her of defaming Algeria. The Algerian government reportedly paid 10 million dinars (almost 150,000 U.S. dollars) to fund the film. But Abdel-Karim Omezian, a spokesman for the Film Division at the Ministry of Culture, told AlArabiya.net that the ministry never gave a permit to Biyouna or director Nadir Moknèche [he is known as the Algerian Almodovar]. [...]

"In a phone interview from Beirut, Biyouna defended the role, telling AlArabiya.net that the movie reflects reality in Algerian society: 'Lots of girls are forced into prostitution. It's time we break taboos.' Biyouna, known as a comedian who plays 'decent' roles, tried to commit suicide in 1997. She attributed that to poverty and lack of work. [...]"

Source: Al Arabiya (Dubai-based, Saudi-owned), December 9, 2007

December 11, 2007: Terrorist Attack in Algeria

2007-12-11T12:37:00.000-08:00

See the following movie on Terrorism in Algeria:

Morituri:

http://memriarabmovies.blogspot.com/2007/09/new-algerian-movie.html

Bab El Oued City:

http://memriarabmovies.blogspot.com/2007/09/bab-el-oued-director-merzak-allouache.html

Rachida:

http://memriarabmovies.blogspot.com/search?q=rachida

Algerian Movie on Modernity and Tradition

2007-12-07T14:10:00.000-08:00

Viva Laldjérie

Director: Nadir Moknèche

Script Writer: Nadir Moknèche

Cast: Lubna Azabal, Biyouna, Nadia Kaci, Jalil Naciri

Release year: 2004

Genre: Drama

Country: Algeria

Time: 117 Minutes

About the movie: "Viva Laldjérie explores the lives of three women in Algiers as they manage to get by despite their daily difficulties. Twenty seven-year-old Goucem works at a local photo shop and lives with her mother Sandjak in a low-rent residential hotel. She is torn between tradition and modernity, between her mother’s desire for her to find a husband and her aspiration to live like a modern young woman. She dates a married doctor and hopes that he will leave his wife, but her dreams are shattered when she discovers that she is not his only mistress. Sandjak, formerly an exotic dancer, hides from fundamentalists who are set on killing her. When she hears that an old cabaret is being closed to make room for a new mosque, she tries to buy it. In the process, she is encouraged to perform again. Fifi, a prostitute who lives next door to Sandjak and Goucem, is usually very busy entertaining men in her room, including influential ones who should not be there. Viva Laldjérie highlights the tensions between modern and traditional society in a country emerging from civil war and dominated by men." Source: facecouncil.org

About the Director: Viva Laldjérie is the second film by Nadir Moknèche. His first film, The Harem of Madame Osmane, opened in theatres to critical acclaim in France in 2000 after screening at numerous international festivals. After growing up in Algiers, Nadir studied in France, and then at New York's New School for Social Research, where he made two shorts, Jardin and the award-winning Hanifa. Source: filmmovement.com

Account on You Tube was closed due to graphic images on tortures in Egypt

2007-12-04T12:35:00.001-08:00

"The video-sharing Web site YouTube has restored the account of a prominent Egyptian anti-torture activist, and said on Monday he may repost graphic images of purported rights abuses if he puts them in proper context.

"Wael Abbas said last week that YouTube had suspended his account and that around 100 images he had posted, including clips of police brutality, purported voting irregularities and anti-government demonstrations were no longer accessible. [...]

" 'Our general policy against graphic violence led to the removal of videos documenting alleged human rights abuses because the context was not apparent,' the statement [in You Tube] said. 'Having reviewed the case, we have restored the account of Egyptian blogger Wael Abbas. And if he chooses to upload the video again with sufficient context so that users can understand his important message, we will of course leave it on the site.'

"The statement did not clarify what would constitute sufficient context.

"Rights activists had complained that by shutting down Abbas's account, YouTube was closing a significant portal for information on rights abuses in Egypt just as Cairo was escalating a crackdown on opposition and independent media."

Source: Al Arabiya (Saudi-owned, Dubai-based), December 3, 2007

" Is You Tube feeding the regional crackdown on cyber-activists?"

2007-12-04T12:27:00.000-08:00

" Author: Esra'a (Bahrain) - December 3, 2007

"The internet has been a prominent tool for human rights activists to convey and receive controversial information. Many interactive websites allow activists to network, help, and empower each other.

"One of such sites is YouTube, a video-sharing network where users can upload and host videos. YouTube continues to serve as a vital source for videos that reveal various human rights abuses such as police brutality in restricted countries like Egypt and Iran. [...]

"Egyptian blogger and anti-torture activist Wael Abbas is one of several Egyptians who take advantage of the many benefits of sites like YouTube to further their struggle for justice in their country. Abbas’ videos contained unpleasant and alarming scenes of police brutality in Egypt, many of which were revealed for the very first time. [...]

"This, one would think, is a positive outcome of technology. For once, rampant regional censorship couldn’t stop us from accessing videos that showed the true nature of certain governments and what they were actively trying to hide from the public.

"YouTube apparently holds a different viewpoint.

"Last week, its staff suspended Abbas’ YouTube account for several days, causing the deletion of dozens of videos that reveal torture taking place in Egyptian prisons.

"To YouTube’s credit, Abbas’ account was restored only days after its suspension, likely due to public concerns and pressure, but with all of the videos removed.

"Videos of Abbas’ media appearances concerning his cyber-activism were also deleted, even though these videos contained absolutely no violence or graphic footage that could have been in violation of the website’s policy and legal use.

"Why, then, couldn’t YouTube only remove the videos in question?

"Why did YouTube terminate Abbas’ account entirely, making all of his videos inaccessible? [...]"

Source: www.mideastyouth.com

You Tube removes videos by Egyptian Activists on regime torture victims

2007-12-04T12:22:00.000-08:00

"A storm is brewing in the Egyptian blogosphere after video hosting site YouTube removed several videos featuring policemen torturing victims from their site.

" 'This is by far the biggest blow to the anti-torture movement in Egypt,' writes Wael Abbas, an award winning blogger, whose videos capturing the torture of victims at the hands of police were removed from YouTube."

Source: http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/

Egyptian Movies at the Cairo Film Festival

2007-12-02T08:39:00.000-08:00

EGYPTIAN FILM

*Ahlam Haqiqiya (Real Dreams) Horror film starring Hanan Turk and Khaled Saleh.

*Asad we Arba' Otat (A Lion and Four Cats) Comedy starring Hani Ramzi.

*Al-Awala Felgharam (Love Song) Romantic comedy starring Hani Salama and Menna Shalabi, directed by Mohamed Ali.

*Esabet Al-Doktor Omar (Dr Omar's gang) starring Mustafa Amar and Yasmine Abdel-Aziz.

*Heya Fawda (No Rules?) Drama starring Khaled Saleh, Menna Shalabi, directed by Youssef Shahin, Khaled Youssef.

*Al-Hobb Kida (Such is love) Comedy starring Hamada Helal.

*Kida Reda! (Fair Enough!) Comedy starring Ahmed Helmi and Menna Shalabi.

*Al Magic Group of rising stars.

*Al-Shayatin (The Devils) Drama starring Sherif Munir.

Member of the Dutch Parliament Plans a Provocative Film about Islam

2007-12-02T08:31:00.000-08:00

"A member of the Dutch Parliament, and head of the small hard-right 'Party for Freedom' (PvV), Geert Wilders, is working on a television film on the Qur'an. This is the second step for Wilders in his fight against what he considers 'the danger of Islam.'

"Wilders recently called for the banning of what he called the 'fascist Qur'an,' comparing it to Hitler's manifesto 'Mein Kampf.'

"Radio Netherlands Worldwide quotes him as saying that his film may be compared to the film 'Submission' that was produced by Theo van Gogh and Ayaan Hirsi Ali in 2004.

"According to the newspaper 'De Telegraaf,' Wilders did not want to give further details about the new film at this time. It was able to say, however, that that Wilders said that he is negotiating with a television channel, but might, if necessary, show it in the slot allocated to his political party on public television, or on the internet.

"In its initial reaction the Dutch government expressed nervousness over Wilders's plans, and the ministries of the Interior and Justice have alerted him of the risks of his planned film. The official spokesman for the Ministry of Justice said that the Ministry has taken preemptive measures in anticipation of broad international controversy over the film, while affirming that Wilders is free to express his opinion. [...]"

Source: Aafaq.org, December 1, 2007

Film Festival in the region during the week

2007-12-01T16:22:00.000-08:00

"[...] The Cairo International Film Festival is up and running and on a mission to reclaim its status as the quintessential showcase for Arab cinema. The fourth Dubai International Film Festival and the seventh Marrakesh International Film Festival are both opening next week. [...]"

Source: Daily Star (Lebanon), December 1, 2007

Veiled presenters a ‘no-show’ on Moroccan TV

2007-12-01T16:11:00.000-08:00

"The firing of three veiled presenters from Moroccan radio station Casa FM has highlighted the issue of an implicit ban being slapped on veiled women working in different media outlets in the Arab country.

"Veiled TV presenter Samia Al-Maghrawy said her seniors started treating her differently when she donned the veil: 'They seemed to be embarrassed of me and stopped assigning me out-of-country work. To save my face and avoid troubles with the administration, I decided to work in the editorial board so that I would not have to be on screen.'

"Media woman Wafaa Al-Hamry accused the government of applying double standards in the way it deals with this issue: 'There is no law banning a veiled woman from having an on-screen job, but when she applies, and even though she might have all the qualifications, she doesn't get the job,' she told AlArabiya.net.

"All veiled women who work in the media, Al-Hamry adds, know that they will only be allowed to work as editors or directors, 'anything behind the screen'. Media expert Yehia al-Yehiawy is surprised at the ban since the media is supposed to enjoy freedom and diversity. In an interview with Al-Arabiya.net, Yehiawy said that most Moroccan public channels want to convey their own ideologies that, in turn, will have an effect on the audience. A veiled presenter might not serve this strategy. [...]

"Writer Aziz Bakoush told AlArabiya.net that the veil phenomenon is new to Moroccan media: 'It is mainly related to Islamizing politics or political Islam.' 'Some Arab countries -- and Morocco is one of them -- deal with the veil as a sign of extremism,' he adds. 'The ban solution is very Arab, and the problem is that there are no clear laws that define the boundaries. [...]"

Source: Al Arabiya (Saudi-owned, Dubai-owned), November 30, 2007

Cairo International Film Festival

2007-11-28T09:34:00.000-08:00

"The 31st Cairo International Film Festival opend the 27th of November amid controversy, seeking to retake its place as the Arab world's international cinematic meeting point after years in the wilderness.

"Competing with Morocco's Marakesh film festival -- widely seen as more creative -- and that of Dubai -- more wealthy -- the CIFF will this year highlight British films, with 15 of them being screened.

"The opener is 'Death at a Funeral,' a black comedy by British director Frank Oz, creator of the Muppet Show, described as 'putting the F U in funeral' which has caused controversy because one of its characters is a gay priest.

"Egypt's outspoken Al-Badil daily attacked "so-called liberal newspapers who only see evil in everything (and) who have launched a pre-emptive attack on the festival's choice of 'Death at a Funeral'.

" 'As usual cinema pays the price of being stuck between the Islamists on the street and a regime that is bankrupt of civilisation,' Al-Badil said in an editorial on Tuesday, slamming Egyptian society's 'Achilles heel of religion.' [...]"

Source: AFP, November 27, 2007

Bloggers want to expose torture in Egypt through videos

2007-11-28T09:25:00.000-08:00

Egyptian bloggers, often at the forefront of exposing human rights abuses, are planning an online festival of torture videos to run alongside the 31st Cairo Film Festival, from 27 November to 7 December.

Source: http://www.ifex.org/

"The parallel festival is the brainchild of a blogger named Walid, The Egyptian Mail said, and will feature 'controversial acts of torture allegedly committed by the security authorities.'

"Prizes, including a 'Golden Whip,' will be awarded to the 'best' entrants.

"Egypt's blogosphere has exposed numerous incidents of police torture, including that of minibus driver Imad al-Kabir, who was shown being sodomized with a stick in a widely distributed video shot on a mobile phone. Rights groups say torture is widespread in Egyptian jails, while the Interior Ministry says torturers are punished."

Source: AFP, November 24, 2007

A Palestinian Movie on Honour Killings

2007-11-26T19:00:00.000-08:00

"A new documentary called Maria's Grotto which premiered in Ramallah on Friday explores the issue of honor killings through the heart-breaking stories of four Palestinian women.

"Directed by Palestinian director Buthina Canaan Khoury, the 53-minute documentary is the result of two years of groundwork and filming, Reuters News Agency reported. The film begins in Maria's Grotto, the film's namesake, which is said to be the burial place of a girl called Maria, who lived in a village 20 kilometers east of Ramallah in the 1930s.

"According to a village elder, Maria's family suspected that she had an illicit affair. After they killed her in the Grotto, they examined her and found out she was virgin. 'Maria was innocent,' the old lady recounts.

"The second story is the more recent tragedy of Hayam, a 35-year-old woman who got pregnant with a Christian man from a neighboring village. When her family discovered her pregnancy in her eighth month, they forced her to take poison.

"Khoury tried in vain to get the girl's family to speak on film. But local police officers said they had to detain the Hayam's boyfriend to protect him after Hayam's family reportedly burnt down houses and a factory belonging to the man's family. Among the people interviewed, is an old woman who supports honor killing: 'Disgrace is not a simple thing. Honor is the next precious value after land,' she said.

"The movie also tells the story of a girl who miraculously survived after being stabbed seven times by her brother: 'He didn't ask me anything…he just tried to kill me,' she recalled. The brother, whose face was blurred on screen like his sister's, said he regretted his crime, but explained the social pressure he faced: 'I was devastated by people's words and looks. Everybody was asking, 'Why don't you kill her? Aren't you a man?' I wished she could have escaped while I was trying to kill her.' Although the brother turned himself in, three quarters of the police officers lauded his act as 'honorable,' the film shows.

"The Palestinian Minister of Women's Affairs Khouloud Daibes said in a press conference that honor killings are on the rise in Palestinian territories. Human rights groups said 20 to 50 women have been killed for honor reasons since the beginning of 2007 and that culprits usually get away with light sentences. [...]"

Source: Al Arabiya ( Saudi-owned, Dubai-based), November 25, 2007

Yemenis shocked by public porn display

2007-11-26T18:54:00.000-08:00

"Porn scenes shown by mistake on a public commercial screen in downtown Sanaa has caused a stir in Yemeni society and prompted parliament to launch an official investigation, press reports said Monday.

"On Sunday, hundreds of Yemenis watched in disbelief as porn scenes played in a busy square in the center of the capital. It took a while for the company in charge to set things right, the London-based Al-Quds Al-Arabi reported.

"After receiving scores of phone calls from angry citizens, the police contacted the screen owner, Yemeni Economic Corporation, which, in turn, stopped the show and said it was the result of a technical glitch. [...]"

Source: AlArabiya (Saudi-owned, Dubai-based), November 26, 2007

Egyptian comedian back on "indecency" blacklist

2007-11-24T14:32:00.000-08:00

"An Islamist electronic movement placed Egyptian superstar actor Adel Emam on a blacklist of people who promote 'indecency and nudity,' citing his steadfast opposition to political Islam.

"A spokesman for Hamasna (Our Enthusiasm), which also calls itself 'The Electronic Resistance Movement,' said that Emam, 67, was back on its blacklist one year after he was removed, as a result of his family ties to a Muslim Brotherhood leader.

"The daughter of Emam – one of the most popular comedians in Egypt and the Arab world – recently married the son of prominent Muslim Brotherhood leader Nabil Moqbel.

"The marriage stirred controversy in Egyptian society because Emam, a master of political satire who often targets religious conservatives in his movies, is known for his stance against Islamists.

"One of his 100-plus movies -- Al-Erhab we Al-Kabab (Terrorism and The Kebab) from 1993 – takes direct aim at Islamist groups and terrorists.

"Hamasna's leader, Mohamed Al-Sayed, said many expected the actor's attitude to change after the marriage: 'We were hoping he would stop mocking religious symbols in his works and start using his capabilities as an actor in works that aim to serve society.' [...]

"What made things worse was Emam's visit to Coptic Pope Shenouda III to seek permission to play a priest in his new movie.

"'We didn't see him consulting Al-Azhar before making all those movies that mocked Islam,' Al-Sayed said.

"The movement has also created a "white list" of artists it deems as "respectable". It includes Saudi singer Mohamed Abdou, Egyptian singer Amr Diab, and veiled Egyptian actresses Hanan Turk and Hala Shiha. "

Source: Al Arabiya (Saudi-owned, Dubai-based), November 23, 2007

Tecom authority introduces Gulf Film Festival and competition

2007-11-24T14:17:00.000-08:00

The Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone Authority (TECOM) today announced a new initiative, the Gulf Film Festival (GFF), in association with Dubai Studio City. The GFF will be dedicated to the best in cinema from the Gulf countries (the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Kingdom of Bahrain, Sultanate of Oman, Qatar, Republic of Iraq and Republic of Yemen) along with select international films. The first annual edition of the festival will run from April 9 to 15, 2008.

Source: Maktoob (UAE), November 12, 2007

Week of the Indian Film kicked off in Tunis

2007-11-21T16:11:00.000-08:00

The National Cultural Committee organized in collaboration with the embassy of India in Tunisia, the week of the Indian film, which was held from the 12th to the 18th of November at the House of Culture Ibn Rachiq in the capital, Tunis.

Magazine's Special Issue Celebrates Saudi Cinema

2007-11-19T16:50:00.000-08:00

"In a pioneering move, the quarterly Saudi cultural magazine, ‘Qawafil’ is celebrating Saudi film-making with an entire issue dedicated to the fledgling industry, which will also include a free DVD featuring the best of Saudi film. [...]

"In the issue, a number of articles on cinema and a filmography of Saudi films starting with 1976's Abdullah al Mohsin’s docufilm entitled ‘Assassination of a City’ [Ightiyal Medina] and ending with films released over the past summer.

"Saudi film critic Khalid Rabia al Sayed talks about the blossoming Saudi film industry, and also reviewed a number of movies particularly those that were featured in the last Jeddah Festival of Visual Art.

"In another article, Abdullah al Eyaf, who won the Special Jury Award for his film ‘A Frame’ [Idar], talked about his experience regarding directing especially during his first docufilm ‘Cinema 500km’.

"The issue also carries an interview with female Saudi film director Hayfaa al Mansour who was, as usual, frank in expressing her opinions. She believed that her experiences as well as those of Saudi cinema were still weak as there is the lack of a cinema culture and origin. She also embraced Western acceptance of her work saying, 'They (some intellectuals) are now granting awards for movies that look at the humanitarian crimes taking place in Iraq and elsewhere. In my opinion, to perceive the West as an enemy is overloaded with inferiority complexes and self-doubt.'

"In another interview, young Saudis expressed their aspirations towards this new phenomenon and their hopes in developing and establishing a film industry [in Saudi] in the future.

"The free DVD that accompanied the issue included the following films: ‘Difficult Way’ [Tariq Saaba] by Samir Aref, ‘Rebellion’ [Tammarrad] by Abdul Aziz al Najam, ‘Girl of Heaven’ [Tiflat al Samaa] by Ali al Amir, ‘Just a Day’ [Mujarid Yowm] by Nawaf Muhanna and ‘Democracy’ by Meshal al Anzi.

"Earlier this year, the first ever Saudi Arabia horror film ‘The Forgotten Village’ [Qariyat al Mansiya] was released in Egypt."

Source: Asharq Al Awsat (Saudi Arabia, based in London), November 19, 2007

Terror decade in Algeria thwarted movie creation

2007-11-19T15:42:00.000-08:00

The Algerian movie critic and head of Geneva Arab Film Festival, Belghoul Benaouda was present at "Taghit d'or" Film Festival along with several movie critics and experts who have been invited to take part to this important cultural event. As one of numerous Algerian authors and artists living overseas, M Benaouda gave a brief interview to "Echorouk" reporter in which he talked thoroughly about today's movie industry.

Q: What is, in your opinion, asked from the new generation of movie lovers?

A: The black decade stopped the young creator's impetus in this field, but now, the emerging talents have to think anew and develop new ideas in the audiovisual field. We are living a new era controlled by the image. Europe, for instance is using picture as a weapon in cinema and TV to control the masses, the time has come for the gifted new generation to set aside the traditional vision of movie- making, they have to adapt their art to the modern standards, by and large, portray their living conditions realistically.

Source: Echorouk (Algeria), November 16, 2007

European Film Festival in Morocco

2007-11-15T11:20:00.001-08:00

Since Thursday, the Moroccan northern city of Tangier is vibrating at the pace of European films as part of the 17 th film week ending on November 25 following the screening in five Moroccan cities of prize-winning films or films screened in highly renown film festivals.

Algerian short film festival the “Taghit d’or"

2007-11-15T11:14:00.000-08:00

Algeria launched its first short film festival the “Taghit d’or”from 11-17 November. Some 30 movie makers as well as several guests pertaining to the world of culture and media took part to the first cultural event of its kind in Algeria.

Several movie screenings were slated for this occasion in various parts of the town, in addition to the organization of seminars aiming at promoting local artifacts. The “ Taghit d’or” short film festival stems from the other major Algerian film festival, “the Fenec d’or” which aims at boosting young gifted artists and give them the opportunity to shed light on their creations as well as exchanging their experiences in this field. The event coincided with the opening of the tourist season in this desert region.

Source: Echourouk (Algeria), November 5, 2007

Indian movies to be special attraction in 4th Dubai Film Festival

2007-11-15T11:10:00.000-08:00

The fourth edition of Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF), running from December 9 to 16, starts with the unveiling of 'A Celebration of Indian Cinema', a separate segment for the first time.

"This year, DIFF has created a separate programme for Indian cinema as it is a country with a vast supply of thriving and creative regional films. Its geographic size is an indication of the diversity of the films it produces year round," Festival Artistic Director Masoud Amralla Al Ali said.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/

Dubai International Film Festival

2007-11-15T11:06:00.000-08:00

The Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) announced the conclusion of its successful ‘OneMinutesJr’ video production workshop for youth in Mumbai, with plans for future sessions in Dubai and Cairo, in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Participants at the 5-day workshops received guidance in camera skills, shot and sound choices, story development and basic editing.

Source: middleeastevents.com

Anti-Iranian government movie applauded in Tunisia

2007-11-13T10:28:00.000-08:00

The animated movie Persepolis based on the graphic novel Persepolis by Iranian author and cartoonist Marjane Satrapi was appluaded by Tunisians during the 14th European Cinema Festival.

Persepolis is the story of Marjane Satrapi's "own experiences as a rebellious young girl growing up in 1970s and 1980s Iran before being sent off 'into safety' in Europe. In her life, the growing pains of a free-spirited young girl happen to occur alongside the fall of the Shah’s rule and the Islamic Revolution. With its perfect blend of the personal and the political, Persepolis tells the parallel stories of a girl and a country trying to grow up and find out what’s right for them, though both are often taken hostage by foreign impulses".

Sources: La Presse (Tunisia), November 13, 2007

european-films.net

Cinema ban sparks debate in Saudi Council

2007-11-13T10:12:00.000-08:00

"The Saudi Shura (Consultative) Council briefly debated the absence of movie theaters in the kingdom, with some members saying cinemas are inappropriate in the land of the Holy Shrines and others calling for a religiously acceptable 'way out'.

"The debate started when the Council's Culture and Media Committee presented a draft law on a memorandum of understanding between the Saudi Ministry of Culture and Information and the Russian Federal Agency for Culture and Cinematography, the Saudi edition of Al-Hayat reported on Tuesday.

"Council Member Azeb Al-Mesbel argued that the spiritual nature of the country that hosts the two Holy Shrines (in Mecca and Medina) should be taken into consideration when dealing with matters of art and culture.Whereas Member Ahmed al-Turki stressed the necessity to benefit from Russia's experience in cinema arts. He called on religious scholars to find a way to allow movie theaters without contradicting the principles of Islam. [...]

"Regular theatres are not allowed in Saudi Arabia because movies are considered incompatible with the teachings of Islam, as they promote the mingling of sexes and show examples of immoral behavior."

Source: Al Arabiya (Saudi-owned, Dubai-based), November 13, 2007

Post Modern Arts Festival in Tunis

2007-11-11T08:49:00.000-08:00

The Medina of Tunis hosted the first edition of the Post Modern Arts Festival, dubbed "Dream City", which took place on November 8, 9 and 10.

"Dream City" is an ambitious project devoted to Post Modern artistic creations, thus allowing young Tunisian artists to present works reflecting on the city of Tunis.

Thus, 26 multidisciplinary artists took part to this event which features several artistic fields such as plastic arts, choreography, music and video projections.

Source: allafrica.com

Tunisia Experimantal Cinema Festival

2007-11-11T08:44:00.000-08:00

The first meeting on experimental cinema has taken place in Sousse from 2nd to 7th November on the initiative of Youssef Bahri, artistic director in charge of the conference on experimentation in the arts, of Mohamed El Ameur, cultural delegate to general coordination within the regional commissary of the Lofti Ben Salah township.

The Festival has shown movies on chaos in the world and on alienation of young generations.

Tunis Celebrates European Cinema

2007-11-08T13:16:00.000-08:00

"The 14th edition of the Days of the European Cinema in Tunis will be held this year from the 8th to the 22nd of November in several places in the Tunisian capital.

"Organized by the delegation of the European Commission and the embassies of the Member States of the EU in Tunisia, in collaboration with the Ministry of the Culture and the Safeguard of the Tunisian Heritage, the Days of the European Cinema in Tunis have become an important rendezvous attended by a high number of film enthusiasts in the Maghreb.

"The edition 2007 was described as “Euro Tunisian” because of the great number of Tunisian films taking part in the festival to be projected along with European movies. [...]"

Source: Al Arab online

"Billionaire fights Egyptian conservatism with TV"

2007-11-08T13:07:00.000-08:00

"Egyptian billionaire and telecoms tycoon Naguib Sawiris plans to launch new television channels to counter what he describes as increasing social and inreligious conservatism the Arab Muslim country. Sawiris, a Coptic Christian with a $10 billion fortune according to Forbes magazine, said he would launch a movie channel early in 2008 followed by an all-news station. He already owns OTV, a 24-hour entertainment channel.

"Speaking at a dinner for journalists late on Monday, Sawiris said he was disturbed by the rising number of women wearing the Islamic headscarf. 'I am not against the headscarf because then I would be against personal freedoms,' he said. 'But when I walk in the street now I feel like I am in Iran... I feel like a stranger.' [...]

"The Egyptian billionaire, who owns a stake in Egypt's popular daily newspaper Al Masry Al Youm, launched a scathing attack on the Brotherhood, which insists that non-Muslims and women are ineligible to run for the country's presidency. 'To hell with them,' he said. 'Not a single Christian is waiting for their permission. God is just. God does not discriminate between people.'

"Sawiris, chairman of Orascom Telecom, the fourth largest Arab mobile phone operator by market value, is not known to have any political ambitions and has rarely expressed his political opinions in public. Independent media have challenged the dominance of state-run Egyptian press and television, which for decades has dictated what the public could read, watch or listen to. Privately-owned newspapers have pushed the boundaries in political reporting, attacking President Hosni Mubarak and his family. Private television, however, does not enjoy the same liberties."

Source: Reuters, November 7, 2007

On Air the documentary on Saudi King Abdullah

2007-11-08T12:59:00.000-08:00

On November 1st, Al Arabiya launched the five part documentary " Abdullah", the fist production of its kind.

For more informations see the following post:
http://memriarabmovies.blogspot.com/2007/10/first-film-about-saudi-king-on-al.html

A movie on Palestinians escaping from Iraq

2007-11-08T12:49:00.000-08:00

The dupes (1972, Al Makhdu'un)

Director: Tewifik Saleh

Script Writer: Ghassan Kanafani, Tewfik Saleh
Cast: Mohamed Khei-Halouani, Abderrahman Alray, Bassan Lofti, Abou Ghazala, Saleh Kholoki, Thanaa Debsi
Genre: Drama

Release Year: 1972
Country: Syria
Time: 107 min

Abou the movie: Three Palestinian men from three different generations attempt to escape their impoverished lives in Iraq by crossing the desert to Kuwait, where the promise of work and freedom awaits them. A truck driver agrees to smuggle them across the border in this film about dispossession, despair and scraps of hope. Source: http://www.multilingualbooks.com/

Algeria launches its first short film festival

2007-11-07T14:38:00.000-08:00

Algeria will launch its first short film festival the “Taghit d’or”on Monday

Preparations for the first edition of the short film festival « Taghit d’or » (Golden Taghit) due to take place in the Bechar (southern Algeria) from 11-17 November are well underway according to the organizers.

Some 30 movie makers as well as several guests pertaining to the world of culture and media will take part to the first cultural event of its kind in Algeria, the same source added. Several movie screenings are slated for this occasion in various parts of the town, in addition to the organization of seminars aiming at promoting local artifacts.

The “ Taghit d’or” short film festival stems from the other major Algerian film festival, “the Fenec d’or” which aims at boosting young gifted artists and give them the opportunity to shed light on their creations as well as exchanging their experiences in this field. The event will coincide with the opening of the tourist season in this desert region, which will lift people’s spirit and push them to shift their interest in this event.

Source: Echorouk (Algeria), November 5, 2007

A Movie on the Algerian War of Independence

2007-11-04T05:06:00.000-08:00

Living in Paradise (1998, Al Aish Fil Jannah)

Director: Bourlem Guerdjou (Algeria)
Script Writer: Boulem Guerdjou, Olivier Lorelle, Olivier Douy
Cast: Roschdy Zem, Fadila Belkebla, Omar Bekhaled, Farida Rahouadj, Hiam Abbass
Release Year: 1998
Genre: Social
Country: France/Norway/Belgium
Time: 105 min

About the Movie: Set in France in 1961-1962, during the Algerian War, Living In Paradise is the story of Lakhdar (Roschdy Zem), an immigrant construction worker living in the Nanterre shantytown of France.

Unhappy living alone in France, he brings his wife and children from Southern Algeria to be with him, but the family struggles to make ends meet. In this clip Hiam Abbas plays an Algerian nationalist struggling to stir her compatriots into action.

Here she succeeds, gathering many of the residents of the shantytown to participate in a demonstration in support of Algerian independence and the National Liberation Front (FLN). Lakhdar is reluctant to participate, but he eventually goes along and is beaten when French riot police try to break up the demonstration by force. Though fictional, the film underlies the important role played by the large immigrant community in France during the independence movement, as well as the role of women in the movement. Source: arabworld.nitle.org

About the Director: Bourlem Guerdjou studied at the Florent drama school in 1982-1983, and won a directing award from the Fondation de la Vocation. He has also acted in various films, plays and made-for-TV movies. He directed three short films, including the award-winning "Ring" (1996), plus two documentaries. "Living in Paradise" is his first feature film. Source: en.unifrance.org

1st of November: Anniversary of the Start of the Algerian Revolution against Colonialism in 1954

2007-11-04T04:52:00.000-08:00

Chronicle of the Years of Embers (1975, Waqai Sanawat Al-Djamr)

Winner of Palme d’Or – Cannes 1975

Director: Mohamed Lakhdar-Hamina (Algeria)
Script Writer: Rachid Boujedra, Tewfik Fares and others
Cast: Yorgo Voyagis, Mohammed, Lakhdar-Hamina, Leila Shenna, Cheikh Nourredine, François Maistre
Release Date: 26 November 1975 (France)
Genre: Drama
Country: Algeria
Time: 175 min

About the Movie: Chronicle of the Year of Embers portrays Algeria's struggle for Independence from French colonial rule. The story follows a peasant's migration from his drought-stricken village to his eventual participation with the Algerian resistance movement, just prior to the outbreak of the Algerian War of Independence. Source: http://www.imdb.com/

About the Director: Mohamed Lakhdar-Hamina is an Algerian director and actor.

A Movie on Music as a tool against bigotry and violence

2007-11-02T03:27:00.000-07:00

100% Arabica (1997)

Director: Mahmoud Zemmouri (Algeria)
Script Writer: Marie Laurence Attias, Mahmoud Zemmouri
Cast: Cheb Khaled, Cheb Mami
Release Date: 5 November 1997 (France)
Genre: Musical Comedy
Country: France/Belgium/Switzerland
Time: 85 min

About the Movie: "In this light-hearted musical comedy with a message, a North African pop group called Rap Oriental uses music to triumph over the bigotry and violence in their housing project on the outskirts of Paris. The band and their devoted fans are pitted against religiously conservative elders who want to stop the music. The film features Khaled and Cheb Mami, two real-life stars of Rai music - a combination of North African sounds and western-style rap. The pair offers a message with a beat as they rock, groove, and ultimately soothe their 'hood with their unique sound." Source: African Diaspora Fil Festival

About the Director: Mahmoud Zemmouri is a well-known Algerian movie Director, living in France.

A Tunisian Movie on poverty and violence

2007-11-02T03:07:00.000-07:00

Tender is the worlf (2006, Ors El Dhab)

Director: Jilani Saadi
Script Writer: Jilani Saadi
Cast: Abdelmoumen Chouiette, Anissa Daoud, Atef Ben Hessin, Habib Ben Mbarek, Mohamed Graya
Release Year: 2006
Genre: Drama
Country: Tunisia
Time: 83 min

About the Movie: "[...] Tender Is the Wolf is a sensitive but bleak drama which shows the tumultuous consequences of a crime committed by the group of outcasts a Tunisian man hangs out with. Unemployed and directionless, the gentle, lumbering Stoufa (Mohamed Hassine Graya) meets up with his three pals on a corner one cold winter night in Tunis to drink and hang out. It is there that they encounter Salousa, a willful, talkative young prostitute they know. Conversation leads to confrontation, and the friends impulsively gang rape the woman as she hopelessly tries to stop the assault. The next day the woman enlists her thuggish brother to track down her attackers and deal with them. Stoufa, though not having participated, is nonetheless violently beaten. Yet, with something still troubling him, he meets with the woman and a tentative, unusual relationship develops between them. This dark, unsettling urban drama [...] explore a cold urban world of poverty and violence. Source: http://phillyfests.bside.com/

About the Director: Jilani Saadi was born in Bizerte, Tunisia in 1962. After film studies in Paris, he made his first short film in 1994 and then a medium length film, Café-Hôtel de l’Avenir, in 1997, and the feature films Khorma, le Crieur de Nouvelles in 2003 and Ors El Dhib in 2006.

A New Moroccan Movie on Relations between Muslims and Jews

2007-10-31T02:08:00.000-07:00

Adieu Mères (Goodbye Mothers): A movie by Mohamed Ismail

Movie's Official Web Site: http://www.adieumeres.com/test/

"Mohamed Ismail’s Goodbye Mothers, dares to depict the peaceful co-existence in 1960s Casablanca of two families – one Muslim and one Jewish – at a time historically when many Jews were faced with the dilemma of whether or not to emigrate to Israel.

"Two years ago in Morocco, writer-director Laila Marrakchi’s romance Marock, about a Jewish man’s love affair with a Muslim woman [...] , caused a great deal of controversy among critics and the public, [...]. Maya Film, producers of Goodbye Mothers, expect the same kind of reaction to their film, which, following its festival premiere, is slated to hit movie theaters in Tangiers and other parts of the country by the end of the year.

"Ismail is perhaps best known for his 2002 film Et Après? which featured Victoria Abril and depicted life in Morocco through the eyes of a young male chauvinist, happy to avail himself of European female company but weary of his sister venturing out of the house. [...]

"The film festivals launched in Casablanca, as well as those of Tangiers and Marrakesh, has played a critical role in buttressing indigenous cinema to the next level. And with artistic expression and expansion comes the inevitable spot fires of controversy."

Source: http://www.filmstew.com/

Libya: Colonel Qaddafi to fund movie on Italian colonialism

2007-10-31T01:58:00.000-07:00

"A movie about the Italian occupation of Libya from 1911 to 1943 is being made by Syrian filmmaker Najdat Anzour with the help of Libya's president Muammar Qaddafi, who will finance the film and contribute to the screenplay.

"'Dhulm: Years of Torment' will feature for the first time first-hand accounts by international and local witnesses of the Italian colonial period. [...]"

Source: Adnkronos

9th Edition of the Moroccan National Fim Festival in Tangier

2007-10-30T08:25:00.000-07:00

The 9th Edition of the Tangier National Film Festival tackeled identity problems, the exodus of Moroccan Jews, masculine impotence and the new trend of young rockers accused of "satanism".

The Festival took place in the Moroccan city of Tangier from the 18th til the 27th of October with the precence of the new Moroccan Minister for Culture, the actress Touria Jabrane.

3rd Edition of the Casablanca Film Festival

2007-10-30T08:14:00.000-07:00

CASA CINE

The third Edition of CASA CINE, the Casablanca Film Festical, is going to start the 31st of October until the 6th of November.

To Know more go visit the official Web Site of the Festival: http://www.casacine.ma/programme.php

Marrakesh Film Festival

2007-10-30T08:01:00.000-07:00

2007 Marrakech Film Festival to pay tribute to Egyptian cinema

"The Marrakech International Film Festival (FIFM), will pay special tribute to the Egyptian cinema in its 7th edition, slated for December 7-15, said Noureddine Sail, Vice President of the FIFM Foundation and Chairman of the Centre Cinématographique Marocain (CCM).

"Some 90 Egyptian directors will attend this year's festival edition, which coincides with the centenary of Egyptian cinema, said Mr. Sail who was on a two-day visit to Egypt to coordinate with the Egyptian officials the preparations for the festival.
The Marrakech festival is due to screen 40 major Egyptian movies, including (hymn of hope), which was shot in the 30s starring Diva Oum khaltoum, and 'Imarat Yacoubian' 'the Yacoubian building' featuring famous Egyptian actor Adel Imam. [...]"

Source: http://www.map.ma/ (Morocco), October 10, 2007

First Libyan Horror Movie

2007-10-29T06:26:00.000-07:00

Drops of Horror: First Horror Movie to be Produced in Libya

"In the midst of murder and mystery an intricate tale of horror holds audiences in suspense. Entitled: Drops of Horror, its producers have affirmed that this is the first horror film to be produced in Libya.

"Drops of Horror being true to its name is played by nine young talented first time actors, Housam Shghaifa, Mohamed Farekash, Adam Bargathy, Ahmed Sewi, Hamza Osman, Nada Alrahaibi, Suaad Alnasify, Rewada Mohamed Said and Mowada Bushnaf. Most of them are students at Al Fateh Centre for the Gifted in Benghazi.

"Twenty-three-year-old Maye Bushnaf director and cameraman said: 'It’s a unique first, a Libyan horror film produced by locally talented actors. The story line is set over two days of suspense with an intriguing twist and an Islamic moral to the story.'

"'Drops of Horror' was filmed in 2005 over a period of two months at the Al Fateh centre for the Gifted. It is a low budget production film of 49 minutes duration that was finally finished for release in November of 2006. [...]"

Source: Tripoli Post, August 4, 2007

A Perspective on Casablanca

2007-10-28T07:39:00.000-07:00

À Casablanca les Anges Ne Volent Pas (In Casablanca Angels don't fly, 2004)

Director: Mohamed Asli
Script Writer: Mohamed Asli
Cast: Abdessamed Miftah El Kheir, Abderrazak el Badaoui, Rachid El Hazmir, Leila El Ahyani, Abdelaziz Essghyr
Release year: 2004, Cannes Film Festival

Genre: Drama
Country: Morocco/Italy
Time: 94 min.

About the movie:

The experiences of a trio of migrant workers in a Casablanca café are sympathetically explored in this accomplished debut feature from Moroccan director Mohamed Asli. Regularly sending money back to their families in the countryside, the men refuse to give up on their dreams, even in the face of the harsh realities of both urban and rural life. The result is an imaginative, credible work whose comic touches don’t obscure the suffering endured by its characters and the remote communities they’ve left behind.

Source: http://www.totalfilm.com/

About the Director: Born in 1957, the Moroccan director Mohamed Asli entered outstandingly in the universe of the features with "A Casablanca, les angels ne volent pas". Source: http://www.euromedcafe.org/

Read the interview with Moroccan Director Mohamed Asli in EuromedCafe

New Documentary Movie on Illegal Car Racing Phenomenon in Saudi Arabia

2007-10-28T07:17:00.000-07:00

The French Channel, France 24, recently reported on a new movie-documnetary on the growing car racing's phenomenon among youngster in Saudi Arabia by young director Taoufic Al Ziyadi.

Usually, young Saudis are recording themselves while illegally car racing and uploading their videos on You Tube website:

The Tunisian Quentin Tarantino

2007-10-26T05:26:00.001-07:00

VHS Kahloucha (2006)

Director: Nejib Belkadhi
Script Writer: Nejib Belkadhi
Cast: Moncef Kahloucha
Release Date: December 2006
Genre: Documentary
Country: Tunisia

Time: 80 min.

About the Movie:

"Tunisia is not a country renowned for its film industry. [...] Apparently no one told this to Moncef Kahloucha. A charismatic, impassioned house painter, Kahloucha has always harbored a great love for cinema, especially 1970s genre cinema.

"Armed with his VHS Panasonic 3500, Kahloucha has made a battery of homage pieces including I Had No Money and Now I'm Loaded and Misery to Get Rid of the Booze. Deep in production on his latest feature, Tarzan of the Arabs, Kahloucha is endearingly painted in this astounding documentary.

Tunisino, VHS Kahloucha's Soundtrack

"Watch as Tunisia's Quentin Tarantino employs the help of local acting talent to stage intense chases, well-choreographed fight sequences and fantastical plotlines, and wait until you see to what lengths Kahloucha will go to get the perfect shot.

"Nejib Belkadhi's entertaining portrait captures not only the ray of light that Kahloucha shines into the mundane lives of his cast, crew and viewers, but also a personal side of the filmmaker as he reveals his secret love for his favorite lead actress, a sultry senior citizen who is at constant odds with her spouse about her role in the films. For anyone who has ever dreamed of making a movie, Kahloucha's story is an inspirational revelation." Source: www.mspfilmfest.org

About the Director: Nejib Belkadhi is a Tunisian film director

Movie's Official Website: http://www.kahloucha.com/

"Shi'a Echoes from Lebanon"

2007-10-26T03:54:00.000-07:00

"True to its title, Hady Zaccak's 'Shi'a Echoes from Lebanon' sets out to capture the shades of political opinion held by Lebanese Shiites.

"To do this, the director profiles three young people who have 'Shiite' stamped in their Lebanese identity papers. This minimum requirement is necessary. Lebanon's political system may subordinate the rights of its citizens to the privileges of its religious communities (their leadership, that is), but many Lebanese prefer to see themselves as individuals.

"Marwan Hamdan is an aspiring filmmaker and a member of Lebanon's Democratic Left Movement (the only secular leftist organization in the governing 14 March coalition).

"Fuad Kreiss supports the Amal Movement of Speaker Nabih Berri.

"Israa Aoudeh follows Hizbullah.

"By way of background, Zaccak introduces us to his informants' parents. Hamdan's father joined the Lebanese Communist Party (LCP) in 1974 and was an LCP official in the southern suburb of Haret Hreik throughout the Civil War. Kreiss' father says he went into business because he despises politics.

"The heavily veiled Aoudeh says her parents were religious but did not force her to take the hijab. 'I have a biological father who raised me," she says, ' but I also have a political father in Hassan Nasrallah ... and my spiritual guide is [Iranian supreme leader] Ali Khamenei.' [...]"

Source: Daily Star (Lebanon), September 28, 2007

"Qataris flock to watch controversial movie"

2007-10-26T03:45:00.000-07:00

"Hundreds of Qataris are flocking to movie theatres in the night to watch The Kingdom, an American movie set in Saudi Arabia that has been banned in Kuwait and Bahrain. [...]"

Source: Gulf News (UAE), Octrober 25, 2007

Moroccan movie on drug dealing business

2007-10-25T01:06:00.001-07:00

La Vague blanche (The white wave, 2006)

Director: Mohammed Ali Majboud
Script Writer: Mohammed Ali Majboud
Cast: Aissam Bou Ali, Mohammed Qatib, Aliaa Reggab
Release Date: December 7, 2006 (Cairo Film Festival)
Genre: Drama
Country: Morocco
Time: 90 min.

About the movie: Mostafa Adib, 30, has just finished a prison sentence of five years or drug smuggling. One night on the beach he meets Nasser, who comes from a good family. Nasser asks him for help in getting out a package he found in the water. They discover that it contains dozens of kilogrammes of cocaine and they decide to sell it. Mostafa contributes with his connections in the drug dealing business, while Nasser puts his car and apartment in the service of the transaction. Eventually they find an interested buyer, but he turns out to be a peril to both men. Based on true events which took place in the summer of 1996 in Casablanca. Source: http://www.cairofilmfest.org/

About the Director: Mohammed Ali Majboud is a Morrocan director

A Tunisian movie on a failed indoctrination by Islamists

2007-10-25T00:37:00.000-07:00

Making off (2006)

Director: Nouri Bouzid
Script Writer: Nouri Bouzid
Cast: Lofti Abdell, Afef Ben Mahmoud, Fatima Ben Saïdane, Foued Litaiem.
Release Date: November 14, 2006 (Tunisia)

Genre: Drama

Country: Tunisia

Time: 115 min

About the Movie: "Twenty-five-year-old Bahta (Lotfi Abdelli) has no job, no degree and no prospects. His one passion is breakdancing, but even that outlet is regularly and violently repressed by the cops.

"His cab driver father disapproves of his idle ways and even his mother's (Fatma Ben Saidane) fierce love seemingly cannot bestow self-worth on him. His girlfriend Souad (Afef Ben Mahmoud), fed up with Bahta's shenanigans, is pursuing a singing career or another man or both.

"The American war in Iraq [...] closes the door to Europe, the traditional escape hatch for disenfranchised Tunisians. [...]

"Bahta's latest rebellious stunt, stealing his cousin's police uniform and theatrically lording it over patrons at a cafe, concludes with him on the run from real cops. The incident brings him to the attention of fundamentalists led by a funerary engraver (Lotfi Dziri), who offers the overgrown boy acceptance and advice in the form of misogynistic diatribes and tirades against 'sinful' song, dance and art. [...]

"'Making off' is the story of a failed indoctrination. [...]" Source: http://www.variety.com/

About the Director: Nouri Bouzid is a Tunisian director. In "Making off", Nouri Bouzid wanted to show how radical Islamists turn youths into suicide bombers, and why some young Muslims are attracted to the idea of violence.

Read the interview with Nouri Bouzid

A movie on the Hajj (Pilgrimage to Mecca)

2007-10-24T04:39:00.001-07:00

Le Grand Voyage (2004)

Director: Ismael Ferroukhi
Script Writer: Ismael Ferroukhi
Cast: Nicolas Cazale, Mohammed Majd, Jacky Nercessian, Ghina Ognianova, Kamel Belghazi, Atik Mohammed, Malika Mesrar El Hadaoui
Release Date: Septembre 7, 2004 (Venice Film Festival)
Genre: Drama
Country: France, Morocco
Time: 108 min

About the movie: A few weeks before his college entrance exams, Reda (Nicolas Cazale), a young man who lives in the south of France, finds himself obligated to drive his father to Mecca.
From the start, the journey looks to be difficult: Reda and his father (Mohamed Majd) have nothing in common. The wide cultural and generational gap between the two is worsened by the lack of communication between the two. Reda finds it hard to accommodate his father, who demands respect for himself and his pilgrimage.
From France, through Italy, Serbia, Turkey, Syria, Jordan to Saudi Arabia- the two will embark on a road trip to Mecca that will change their lives. Source: http://www.filmmovement.com/

About the movie director: Ismael Ferroukhi is a French-Moroccan director, born in Kenitra (Morocco).

First film about Saudi king on Al-Arabiya Nov. 1

2007-10-23T14:38:00.000-07:00

"In an unprecedented move in the Middle East, Al-Arabiya TV will on November 1, 2007, air a 5-part documentary about the life of Saudi king Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, revealing new dimensions of the king's personal life and most significant political stances.

"His dispute with U.S. President George W. Bush, the attempt on his life, and the way he handled the Saudi economic crisis a few years ago will figure high on the 5-episode film.

"The documentary reveals the reform and foreign policy challenges the king faced in the past 10 years. The film also sheds light on the life and achievements of 'The king of humaneness', as people call him.

"One of the parts will be about the critical rift between Riyadh and Washington due to American bias towards Israel during the second Palestinian intifida (uprising). Secretary-General of the National Security Council Prince Bandar bin Sultan recounts the fury of the then crown prince, and the harsh letter he sent to Bush.

"After this letter, Bandar goes on, Bush promised to recognize two co-existing states for the first time in the history of the White House. However, king Abdullah demanded a written commitment. From there, king Abdullah launched the Arab peace initiative.

"In an interview for the film, Bush said king Abdullah is not just a friend: 'He is a friend whose opinion matters. Although we disagree sometimes, I respect him and his policies very much'."

Subjects:

September 11 attacks

Assassination attempt

Domestic affairs

Abdullah, the man

Sons speak about father

Abdullah's tears

Source: Al-Arabiya (Saudi owned, based in Dubai), October 23, 2007

Lebanese "Ecological" Movie

2007-10-23T08:57:00.000-07:00

Movie about Sidon dump wins first prize at ecological film festival in France

"Lebanese director Mohammad Sarji won first prize at the International Ecological Film Festival in the French region of Bourges for his film "La Montagne de Saida" (Sidon Mountain). [...]

"The 15-minute film sheds light on the catastrophic impact of Sidon's notorious garbage dump on the area's environment. [...]

"In the film, Julia Hammoud, a 7-year-old girl from Sidon, relates the story of the trash heap, highlighting its dangers and negative effects on the health of residents, particularly children. Sidon's children suffer from asthma more than children anywhere else in Lebanon. [...]"

Source: Daily Star (Lebanon)

A fascinating Egyptian movie dealing with Terrorism

2007-10-21T02:17:00.000-07:00

Al Irhabi (The Terrorist, 1994)

Director: Nader Galal
Script Writer: Lenine El-Ramli
Cast: Adel Imam, Ahmed Rateb, Hanan Shawki, Sherine Ibrahim, Youssraoussri, Mahida Youssri, Zalah Zolfaka

About the movie: "Al-Irhabi was produced in 1994 with private funding [...]

"In the movie, Imam plays a terrorist who, during the confusion of a bungled attack, ends up recovering on the couch of the kind of bourgeois, secular family who he most hates. He realizes that he was wrong about them, and bonds with the family over the Egyptian national football team [...].

"After he's exposed, he tries to return to the family to plead his case and demonstrate that he's changed, but his terrorist ex-colleagues murder him. [...]"
Source: http://abuaardvark.typepad.com/

About the director: Nadel Galal is an Egyptian director son of actress and movie producer Ms Queeny, born in Lebanon.

Egyptian movie "Free time" fills cinema houses

2007-10-21T00:54:00.000-07:00

" [...] The first Egyptian movie goes back as far as the early twenties, which means it came at the same time that the international cinema was starting in different parts of the world like France and the United States of America.

"According to the London daily Elaph, Egyptian cinema started producing films long before international film festivals were created, which means that the Egyptian cinema was a major and independent element and not dependent. It continued moving toward perfection, because it was making at least 10 movies every year back then and it was nominated to win awards in the international cinema festivals. Even though Egyptian cinema stands in the dark side now, it still holds the base and the ability to bring out good productions that was inherited through generations.

"An independent movie done by young people called “Awqat Faragh” (Free Time) is considered among the low movies, which was produced in the mid of 2006 and many movie theaters are showing it on their screens. The scenario writer is young 19 years old ‘Omar Jamal’ and production is by Muhammad Mustafa. The entire film casts are young and it was their first experience in front of a camera excluding the actress “Randa Al Behairi” who had minor roles in a number of movies. [...]

"The main characters in the movie are ‘Hazem’ a rich young man that the whole group ‘his friends’ rely on, then comes ‘Ahmad’ comes from a very poor family who lives on a dream that one day things will get better for him and he falls in love with ‘May’.

"On the other hand ‘May’ is realistic and tries to be stable with her thoughts and behavior. The other characters are ‘Tareq’ who lives an easy life with his divorced mother and ‘Mina’ who lives a conflicting life styles for instance one day she put the ‘Hijab’ (Muslim women head cover) and another where she’s laying in her lover’s arms looking for lost affections. [...]

"One of the best things in the movie is the song “Dawayer” (Circles), written by the poet Abed Al Rahman Al Abnodi and composed and sang by the Lebanese singer Marwan Khouri.

"The movie is considered with all its positive and negative views as the one of the best experiences of young writers and actors, because it holds a real view of how cinema should be made. It also attempts to be realist in their views and in bringing real life experiences. It is needless to say that the Egyptian cinema critics nominated the movie as the best film of 2006".

Source: Albawaba.com (Jordan)

The Forgotten Village: Saudi’s First Horror Movie

2007-10-18T05:48:00.000-07:00

The Forgotten Village

"In 2006, Saudi cinema was brought to the fore when two feature films, namely ‘Dhilal al Samt’ [Shadow of Silence] and ‘Keif al Haal’ [How are you?] were released, both raising controversy amongst film critics and the public. Today, however, a new feature film, entitled ‘The Forgotten Village’ [Qariyat al Mansiya] that has been released in Egypt, will bring Saudi cinema back into the limelight.

"‘The Forgotten Village’ is a horror film based on the novel by Tarik al Dakhiel and directed by Abdullah Abo Talib. It features Mohammed Hashim, Hamed al Ghamdi, Baraa Alaf and Egyptian media figure, Shaymaa al Fadal in addition to other young stars from France, Canada and America.

"The plot of the film is based on group of young Arabs who meet some foreign tourists and forced by circumstance to stay in an isolated village, the residents of which believe that it is haunted by spirits and evil beings that appear only at night. The film looks at the phenomena of superstition and mythology amongst the people of the Gulf. [...]

"So why produce a horror film? Abo Talib highlighted that he is fully aware that Egyptian cinema is famous for its comedies that are very popular in Egypt and the Arab world. For this reason, Abo Talib wanted to test the waters and try something that not many others [in the region] had tried before him, because he wants commercial success for his film as well as critical acclaim. [...]"

Source: Asharq Al Awsat (Saudi owned, based in London), September 6 , 2007

Banning Hollywood movie ‘The Kingdom’ Is Counterproductive, Say Experts

2007-10-16T08:39:00.000-07:00

"The banning of the new Hollywood movie “The Kingdom” by Bahrain and Kuwait this week was deemed counterproductive and largely symbolic by a cross-section of experts interviewed by Arab News. [...]

"Saudi Arabia has not yet announced a ban on the movie. While the Kingdom has no movie theaters, DVD films (both licensed and pirated copies) are widely available. A ban would mean the film would only be available as pirated copies sold on the street.

[...]

"'The Kingdom' is already being screened in the United Arab Emirates and was to be screened during Eid Al-Fitr in Qatar. [...]"

Source: Arab News (Saudi Arabia), October 12, 2007

Algerian Movie against Terrorism

2007-10-16T08:04:00.000-07:00

Rachida (2002)

Director: Yasmina Bachir
Script Writer: Yasmina Bachir

Cast: Ibtissem Djouadi, Bahia Rachedi, Rachida Messaoui En, hamid Remas, Zaki Boulenafed, Amel Choukh, Abdelkader Belmokadem, Azzedine Bougherra

Release Date: May 21, 2002 (Cannes Film Festival)
Genre: Drama
Country: Algeria
Time: 100 min

About the Movie: "Rachida, a young and self-assured teacher at an elementary school, becomes the target of terrorists when she refuses to place a bomb in her classroom. This acclaimed debut feature offers a unique glimpse into the lives of ordinary citizens in Algeria, where terrorism was commonplace during the civil conflict of the 1990s. [...]

"This moving film makes no concessions to the criminals and not even tries to give any lessons or make judgments: The director testifies on a society that sinks in violence but she does not forget to show all the 'anonymous' people whose acts of bravery and courage saved the country from the reign of terror. [...]

"The film reminds us that life, joy and hope never left Algerian society. During that difficult time in the past, our children continued to go to school, women lived, worked, organised feasts and encouraged men to resist terror through any way they could." Source: http://chennaionline.com

About the Director: Yasmina Bachir is a French-Algerian Director

Arab leading newspaper on Hollywood movie "The Kingdom"

2007-10-14T19:04:00.000-07:00

"The Kingdom: Where Hollywood Movie Making and Saudi Realities Meet"

"Prior to watching a private screening of 'The Kingdom', I was under the preconceived notion that it would depict Arabs and Muslims in a negative light.

“'This will be another one of those films which portrays us as terrorists, and Americans, as usual, will come to save the day,' I thought to myself as I prepared to watch this new Hollywood blockbuster, the plot of which centers around a terrorist attack that hits a Western compound in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, and the retaliation of a team of FBI agents who make a secret trip to Saudi Arabia to find those accountable.

"I sat there holding my notebook, ready to pounce at the first inaccuracy however; despite some aspects which might be perceived by some as negative, many might be pleasantly surprised after watching this film, bearing in mind that Arabs have for a long time been among Hollywood's favorite villains. [...]

"In all cases, the film is definitely action-packed, and perhaps Saudis and Arabs may enjoy it more than Americans, as events are depicted as taking place in the Saudi capital…and it is not every day that you watch a Hollywood-style car chase happening on the streets of Riyadh. For Westerners, the movie might be an interesting 'insight' to a culture that is very different to their own, but most importantly it builds on the similarities between moderates in the West and in the Middle East, and the lingering threat of terrorism to both worlds."

To read the whole article: http://www.asharq-e.com/news.asp?section=5&id=10489

Source: Asharq Al-Awsat (Saudi owned, based in London), By Faisal Abbas

"Coptic Church gives go-ahead signal: Egyptian movie tackles Christian extremism"

2007-10-12T11:18:00.000-07:00

"Egypt’s megastar Adel Imam said the Coptic Church has given its approval to a new film where he plays a priest under threats from Christian extremists. The top comedian also highlighted a meeting with Patriarch of the Coptic Orthodox Church Pope Shenouda III over the same topic.

"Imam further stressed that his meeting with Shenouda III addressed all thorny issues the movie is expected to trigger, according to UAE’s daily Al-Bayan. Imam is Egypt’s lead comedian and he is not unfamiliar with films that target extremism in the biggest Arab country.

"His film 'The Terrorist' (Al-Irhaby, in Arabic) in the mid 1990s tackled the issue of Islamists and extremism, but Imam received threats to his life from some fanatics believing the feature tarnished Islamist groups, in favor of the regime.

"In the new film, the priest, to be played by Imam, also receives death threats from Christian fanatics. He then escapes incognito to Alexandria, where the picture sheds light on the 2005 sectarian clashes in the coastal city and Egypt’s second largest. In late 2005 and early 2006, Alexandria was plagued by some Muslim-Christian feuding that took many lives and threatened a spill over through the country.

"The clashes erupted over a play performed at a church which Muslims considered derogatory.The film’s goal, according to Imam, seeks to bring the sectarian strife to the fore. Shooting is to start after Eid al-Fitr (the Muslim holiday marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan). The director and the rest of the actors are yet to be chosen. The movie depicts the relationship between the priest and a sheikh. They share the same plight: each is targeted by fundamentalists of his religion. They are both on the run and undercover.

"The priest escapes an attempt on his life for advocating national unity. The frame, like all Imam’s films, is a comic one, and doctrine is not expected to be addressed directly, according to the film crew.Imam thinks this movie will get him into "the wasp nest," but he insists on tackling such a sensitive issue: 'This is a threat to our national security, and we can't stand still.' Imam recently starred 'The Embassy is in the building' which tackled normalization with Israel, still considered the enemy by the overwhelming majority of Egyptians despite the peace treaty signed almost three decades ago."

Source: Alaarabiya.net (Saudi owned, based in Dubai), October 12, 2007

Abu Dhabi launches first film festival: Hopes to become Hollywood of the Gulf

2007-10-11T18:04:00.000-07:00

Abu Dhabi launches its first film festival and fund this month in a bid to grow a movie industry in a Gulf region often seen as a cultural desert and where films are often heavily censored. Running from October 14-19, the Middle East International Film Festival aims to encourage home-grown talent and emerging film makers both with cash and the Black Pearl Awards trophies. [...]

The festival is the latest in a series of projects Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates, hopes will mark it out as the cultural heart of the region competing with Egypt, which celebrates 100 years of Arab cinema this year. The Gulf has produced few films of world repute and cinemas are banned in the conservative Muslim kingdom of Saudi Arabia, cutting film makers off from their biggest audience. Problems are compounded by the censorship of movies in the Gulf.

Spotlight on the Middle East

However, organizers say the festival films will not be censored. [...] Several films dealing with sensitive issues will be shown. They include Egyptian documentary "Salata Baladi", or Local Salad, which looks at the prickly issue of interreligious marriage and is partly shot in Israel. Also showing is Brian De Palma's "Redacted", which recreates the real-life rape and murder of a teenage Iraqi girl by U.S. troops, and shocked audiences at the Venice festival last month. The festival will show a range of Hollywood, Bollywood and Arab films, and the Black Pearl Awards will go to fiction, documentary and short films selected by a jury. The festival will showcase Arab film in its Middle East Spotlight section, and includes a section dedicated to Arab female directors. Also on is a retrospective of Gulf films including the region's first feature film, "The Cruel Sea" by Kuwaiti Director Khalid al-Siddiq, made in 1972. To support homegrown talent, the Abu Dhabi Media Company will sponsor a $100,000 cash prize for Emirati film-makers and the festival will give the first ever screening for a UAE feature film; "Jumaa and the Sea" by Hany al-Shaibany.

Source: Alarabiya.net (Saudi owned, based in Dubai), October 10, 2007

Al Daly: An Egyptian Ramadan Serie reminding of Hariri's assassination

2007-10-10T14:37:00.000-07:00

Al Daly

Director: Yousif Sharaf Al Deen
TV Channel: LBC (Lebanese channel)

Cast: Noor Al-Sharif (known Egyptian actor), Sawsan Bader, Mahmoud Al Jundi, Salah Abdullah, Salah Rashwan, Muhammad Metwali, Osama Abas, Wafa Salim

Genre: Drama

About the TV Serie: The series is about the changing of political, social and economic issues between the years 1979 and 1992. The drama stars prominent Egyptian actor Noor El Sharif, who plays the role of a well-known politician that faces assassination. There is a great deal of speculation around who could be this Sa’ed Al Daly representing in real life. [...]
The character Sa’ed Al Daly is thought to represent the late engineer Othman Ahmad Othman, the founder of the company “Arab Distributors” and the Minster of housing during the late Egyptian president term Anwar Al Sadat. But many believe that the character in fact is more similar to that of the late Prime Minister of Lebanon Rafiq El Hariri. However, both assumption may be true and the character could be portraying other well-know political personalities in the Arab world. [...]

Source: Albawaba.com (Jordan)

A Ramadan TV Comedy

2007-10-09T18:57:00.000-07:00

Ghashamsham 2

Director:Ayman Shykhany (Syrian director)

TV Channel: Dubai TV

Cast: Fahd Al-Hayyan (Saudi Actor)

Genre: Comedy

About the TV Serie:

Slapstick comedy at its regional finest. In the first series our ‘hero’ was away from home experiencing the world. In this second series, we catch up with Rasheed Al Hoierish back in his village, where little has changed other than himself. The juxtaposition of his naivety and bad luck against the know how of other people place him in everyday situations that lead to hilarious mishaps and misunderstandings with a lesson of life to be learned from each episode.

Source: http://ramadan.jumptv.com/

Saudi Theater Grows, but Women are Still Sidelined

2007-10-08T18:28:00.000-07:00

"An official of the Ministry of Culture and Information said that the ministry is pushing to have theatrical plays year-round instead of just during Eid and other special occasions. But some are pointing out that Saudi theater is still a predominantly man’s world. [...]

"Riyadh and other cities host cultural events for Eid for which plays are a large part of the programs. But for the rest of the year, plays are few and far between, despite the demand. 'Saudis will drive 100 miles to attend a play', said Mohammed Alahmed, deputy director at King Saud University’s College of Fine Arts, which performs 15 to 20 plays each year. [...]

"Saudi theater was born in 1960 with the play 'Fateh Makkah' ('Capturing Makkah'), but for the most part the art form has, like many fine arts in the Kingdom, been sidelined despite the social demand. And unlike movie theaters, plays are more or less socially acceptable, even among the most conservative members of society — provided of course that the themes and dialogue are acceptable and in deference to male audience members and gender segregation is upheld.

"Abdullah Alamer, producer of the women’s play 'Newsan Net', which is showing at King Fahd cultural Center this Eid, said to Arab News that plays for women are increasing. ('Newsan Net' revolves around the theme of women using the Internet as a venue for social interactions.) 'The plays receive remarkable response among women', said Alamer, adding that the success of these plays reflects Saudi women’s hunger to see their issues played out on stage.

"Saudi actress Agadeer Alsaead believes women need more venues for acting and attending. 'Our goal is to talk to women', she said, underscoring the point that as of yet women are still not given equal chances to perform to attend theatrical performances. For example, out of the 10 plays being scheduled in Riyadh for Eid, seven are for men only and two are being performed for children. Only one of the plays is for women."

Source: Arab News (Saudi Arabia), October 9, 2007 by Najah Alosaimi

The first ever Saudi movie

2007-10-07T16:05:00.000-07:00

Keif Al Hal (How is it going?, 2006)

Director: Izidore K. Musallam
Script Writer: Bilal Fadl

Cast: Hesham El Haweesh, Mees Hamdan, Khaled Samy, Turky El Youssef

Release Date: November 9, 2006
Genre: Comedy/Drama
Country: Saudi Arabia
Time: 95 min

About the Movie: Keif Al Hal, produced by the Rotana Group, is a comedy-drama depicting the tension between moderates and conservatives in the Kingdom and the conflict experienced by the young as they try to embrace globalization, while retaining cherished Islamic values. Source: Arab News (Saudi Arabia)

Saudi Filmmakers Explore Film Genres

2007-10-07T12:01:00.000-07:00

"SAUDIS now want to be part of the region’s filmmaking industry. Those who have achieved something have proved they are tough, reliable and strong enough to stay and welcome others as they develop.

The passion for filmmaking among Saudis has spread, especially in the past four years. It probably began when Haifa Al-Mansour, the first-ever Saudi filmmaker, produced a seven-minute short film entitled 'Who'.

Following her debut, the old belief that filming in Saudi Arabia had no future began to die. Advertising agencies started to support and nurture young talent and now the Saudi film industry is growing. This summer has been witness to the birth of three films that have been produced, directed and played by Saudis.

The movie — 'The Forgotten Village' — is a horror movie by Abdullah Abu Talib. It premiered in Cairo on Aug. 21. The documentary on Saudis in the US by Fahmi Farahat debutted on Sept. 8 in Los Angeles. The short film, entitled 'Stick With It' premiered in Jeddah and has been directed by Anggi Makki."

Source: Arab News (Saudi Arabia), August 30, 2007 by Razan Baker

Arab movies awarded at San Sebastian Film Festival

2007-10-05T17:44:00.000-07:00

Arab directors took the biggest share of interest at San Sebastian Film Festival. The organizers awarded the Palestinian movie “Salt of this sea” to his director Anne Marie Jacir along with the Jordan’s “Recycle” to Mahmoud Al Massad. Both directors shared the Cinema in Movement award. As result of this award, both directors will have the opportunity to make final touches to their cinematographic projects. As concerned the Palestinian’s “Salt of this sea”, a consistent help will be given by the Moroccan Cinematographic center in addition to a financial aid amounting to (21,150 US dollars).

On the other Hand, the Jordanian “Recycle” will receive the same amount of money in addition to a technical help dealing with post- production work at the National Center of French Cinematography. His director expressed his joy for this personal achievement “The “I am very honored to have received this award," said Al Massad”. The Cinema in Movement award was open to works from Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, Syria, Tunisia and Portuguese-speaking African countries and offered jointly by the San Sebastian, Freiburg, Amiens and Tarifa film festivals. The aim is to "produce unfinished films and act as an effective bridge between professionals, firms and institutions" in these countries, and those in Europe and Latin America.

Source: Echoroukonline.com (Algeria)

A Sensual, Touching and Sophisticated movie from Lebanon

2007-10-03T18:03:00.000-07:00

Caramel (Original title Sukar Banat, 2007)

Director: Nadine Labaki
Script Writer: Rodney El Haddad, Jihad Hojeily, Nadine Labaki

Cast: Nadia Labaki (Layale), Yasmine Al masri (Nisrine), Joanna Moukarzel (Rima), Gisele Aouad (Jamale), Adel Karam (Youssef), Siham Haddad (Rose), Aziza Semaan (Lili), Fatme Safa (Siham),Dimitri Stancofski (Charles), Fadia Stella (Christine), Ismail Antar (Bassam).

Release Date: Premiered on March 20 during the 2007 Cannes Film Festival
Genre: Drama
Country: Lebanon
Time: 95 min
Music: Mouzanar
Movies' Official website: http://www.caramel-lefilm.com/

About the Movie: In the title of Caramel, Labaki refers to an epilation method used in the Middle east and North Africa to wax the body, using heated sugar, water and lemon juice.

"Caramel is the first feature from director-cum-actor Nadine Labaki, is a film about the lives and loves of six Lebanese women. As the title suggests, it's a sweet-natured romantic comedy, one centered on a Beirut beauty parlor, the three twentysomething women who work there and three somewhat-older ladies who are part of their circle.

"After setting the ambiance of the salon itself, each character becomes the center of her own story, all related to matters of the heart. The main character, Layale (Labaki) is struggling through an affair with a married man. Nisrine (Yasmine al-Masri), the film's designated Muslim character, is happily (evidently chastely) engaged but, as you eventually learn, is also worried because she isn't a virgin. Indifferent to men, Rima (Joanna Moukarzel) is beginning to awaken to her fondness for women, thanks to a customer (played by Fatme Safa) whose name is kept from you.

"One of the salon's incessant clients, Jamale (Gisele Aouad) is a fretfully aging mother trying to launch a career in television. The seamstress who lives near the salon, Rose (Sihame Haddad), has chosen spinsterhood in order to take care of her batty older sister Lili (Aziza Semaan). Herself a piece of romantic wreckage, Lili once had a relationship with a French soldier during the Mandate era, but all his letters were kept from her, so she wanders around the quarter collecting bits of paper as if trying to recover them.

"Rounding out the cast is a trio of male caricatures, love interests for each of the six women. The only man who is allotted some screen time (if not depth exactly) is Youssef (Adel Karam), an awkward, mustachioed cop who is particularly attentive in enforcing the law around Layale. [...]" Source: Jim Quilty, 'Caramel' delves into Lebanon's matters of the heart, The Daily Star (Lebanon), August 9, 2007

About the Director: Nadine Labaki, born in 1974, a well-known Lebanese acress and director. To know more about her:

http://www.lebanonlinks.com/society/nadine_labaki.html

Nadine Labaki's Official website: http://www.nadinelabaki.com/

Nostalgic Ramadan serial about Egyptian expatriates in America

2007-10-03T13:34:00.000-07:00

Hanan Wa Haneen (Tenderness and Compassion)

Director: Inas Bakr

Tv Channel: Orbit (Orbit Satellite Television and Radio Network, http://www.orbit.net/)

Cast: Omar Sharif, Sawsan Badr, Ahmed Ramzi
Genre: Drama

About the TV Serie: Starring Hollywood legend, Omar Sharif; contemporary drama about an engineer who emigrates to the US to build a successful career after suffering a severe emotional breakdown in his home country. However, the nostalgia and love of his home country follows him until the end. The film was shot between Cairo, Alexandria and New York. Source: http://www.mebjournal.com/

The Cartoon for all Seasons

2007-10-02T07:11:00.000-07:00

Freej (Neighbourhood)

Created by: Mohammed Saeed Harib
TV Channel: Dubai TV
Characters: Um Saloom, Um Khammas, Um Saeed, Um Allawi

About the cartoon: "Freej, the Middle East’s first 3D animated series is the brainchild of Mohammed Saeed Harib [...]. Freej is the tale of four old national women living in a secluded neighborhood in modern day Dubai. The show’s main characters; Um Saeed, Um Saloom, Um Allawi and Um Khammas try to live a peaceful life in the midst of the ever-expanding city around them, but the city’s boom unveils new social issues every day that they would have to tackle solve in their own simple way. For those four old women, there is no issue too hard to crack with a good cup of coffee at Um Saeed’s house. [...]" Source: http://freej.ae/

Official Website: http://freej.ae/

Egyptian Ramadan serie dealing with sexual abuse

2007-10-01T08:13:00.000-07:00

Qadeyat Ra'i A'am (A case of public opinion)

Director: Mohamed Azizia
TV Channel: Dubai TV
Cast: Youssra (famous and beautiful Egyptian actress), Samir Sabri, Gamal Ismail, Sami El Adl
Genre: Drama

About the TV Serie: "Youssra plays Abla Abdel-Rahman, head of the pediatric department at Qasr Al Aini Hospital, the perfect wife and mother of two, who is kidnapped and raped while driving home with a fellow female physician and a pregnant nurse.

"The hospital from which they have set off is distant, they are late; and the three armed rapists find it relatively easy to accomplish their task. When the nightmare is over the women return to their lives - only to realise they have an even worse nightmare ahead of them: the very, very complicated task of how to deal with what happened.

"The storyline recounts how each goes about resolving the dilemma of whether to report the incident and take on the incumbent shame or to keep it a secret and suffer the psychological damage in isolation. But when the nurse loses her child and goes into a coma as a result, Abdel-Rahman decides to broach the issue.

"Bad move, apparently: her decision to report the incident to the police instantly stigmatises Abdel-Rahman, whose very husband - a fellow doctor who is happy to perform miscarriages illegally but won't accept the shame of his wife's body having been violated - can no longer live with her. Initially he gives her the choice of directing him back to where the rape took place or separating, but then he decides the sheer humiliation she has brought upon him and the children is unbearable." [...]

Source: Al Ahram Weekly Online, September 20-26, 2007

MBC cancelled a sensitive TV serie on "temporary marriage" after Kuwaiti ban

2007-10-01T07:36:00.000-07:00

Lil Khataya Thaman (Sins have a Price)

Before the beginning of the month of Ramadan MBC announced Monday that it would "cancel a controversial TV series scheduled to air in the Muslim holy month of Ramadan after Kuwaiti authorities banned the program.The new series, 'Lil Khataya Thaman' or (Sins have a Price), is based on the sensitive issue of "temporary marriage" - a practice unique to Shiite Islam. [...]

"But MBC – the parent company of Al Arabiya News Channel – said the series did not contain any offensive content and did not mean to insult any religious sect. The company also said the series was attacked before it was screened. [...]

"Kuwaiti newspapers had earlier hinted at the upcoming ban, saying some Shiites viewed the series as a direct insult to their beliefs in the way it portrayed the issue of temporary marriage ('zawaaj al-mutaa'). But the show's producer, Nayef Al Rashed, said the series was simply misunderstood.'We discuss the way temporary marriage, permitted under the Jafaari [Shiite] sect, is misused, but we also present examples of people who use it in the right way', Rashed said.

"Al Rashed said he in no way meant to insult the Jafaari beliefs and insisted he would never raise issues that would trigger sectarian strife or social unrest. According to Al Rashed, Sins have a Price is a social drama that profiles the lives of men and women who misunderstand Islam, and tackles a variety of topical issues such as civil marriage, disobedience of parents, and other behaviors that he described as 'intrusions into Gulf society'. [...]"

See MBC Videos on the TV Serie in You Tube:

Source: AlArabiya.net , September 10, 2007

Popular MBC Ramadan TV series

2007-10-01T05:58:00.000-07:00

Read the article "Ramadan: On the Small Screen" by Hussein Shobokshi
in Asharq Al Awsat newspaper.

Baini we Beinak (Between Us)

Director: Saed Al Huwari
TV Channel: MBC (Saudi-run comapny broadcasting, headquartered in the United Arab Emirates, http://www.mbc.net/)
Cast: Rashed Al Shamrani, Fayez Malki and Hasan Aseeri
Genre: Comedy

About the TV serie: A Comedy series that tells the story of three men, each leading a different lifestyle. Mifreh, who lives in a small village, enjoys the normal and quiet life. Miz’al, on the other hand, lives a miserable life in the dessert. He lives in poverty and has to deal with his horrible wife. As for Tarek, he lives the life of the city. Source: http://ramadan.jumptv.com/

Tash Ma Tash 15

TV Channel: MBC
Cast: Nasser Al Qasabi, Abdullah Al Sadhan
Genre: Comedy
About the TV serie: Tash ma Tash is a satire comedy series [aired for 15 years] that covers various social matters in the Saudi community. In each episode, the two stars of the show, Abdullah Al Sadhan and Naser Al Qasabi, presents different characters facing different issues from the Saudi community. Source: http://ramadan.jumptv.com/

Bab El Hara (The Neighborhood’s Gate)

Director: Basam Al Mula
TV Channel: MBC
Cast: Abbas El Nouri, Mona Wassef
Genre: Drama
About the TV Serie: The events of this series take place in 1929 in a small neighborhood called Al Dabe’ located in the City of Al Sham in Syria. After a theft incident that takes place in the neighborhood, many dramatic incidents follow like murders, accusations and injust in that once peaceful village. Source: http://ramadan.jumptv.com/

Al Malik Farouq (King Farouq)

Director: Hatem Ali
TV Channel: MBC
Cast: Tim Hassan, Mineh Al Fadali, Izat Abu Aouf, Wafa’ Amer, Mahmoud Juneidi

Genre: History/ Drama
About the TV Serie: This series tells the story of the last king of Egypt (Farouq I) starting from the day he was born till his burial that took place in Egypt. Source: http://ramadan.jumptv.com/

Popular TV Serie in Morocco during the month of Ramadan

2007-09-30T08:13:00.000-07:00

Al Qadiya (The Cause)

Director: Nourredine Lakhmari
TV Channel: 2M (Morocco, http://www.2m.tv/)
Cast: Noufissa Bench’hida, Mehdi Ouazzani, Siham Assif
Genre: Police/Thriller

About the TV serie: Al Qadya has been considered as an "avant-gardiste" TV serie. The main Al Qadya's character is a 30 years old woman police officer, Zineb El Hajjami. Zineb is heading a police scientific department and in every serie she has to solve along with her staff new crimes.

A "Life-Affirming" Movie from Lebanon

2007-09-30T06:45:00.000-07:00

Bosta (2007)

Director: Philippe Aractingi

Script Writer: Philippe Aractingi

Cast: Rodney El Haddad (Kamal), Nadine Labaki (Lia), Nada Abou Farhat (Vola), Omar Rajeh (Omar) Liliane Nemri (Arze), Bshara Atallah (Khalil), Mounir Malaeb (Toufic), Mahmoud Mabsout (Caretaker), Rana Alamudin Karam (Isabelle)

Guest Stars: Sabah, Rouweida Attieh

Release Date: February 21, 2007
Genre: Musical
Country: Lebanon
Time: 1 h 42
Music: Ali El Khatib, Martin Russell, Simon Emmerson
Movie's Official website: http://www.bostathemovie.com/

About the Movie: "BOSTA" (the Autobus) is a film that is set in Lebanon with some of the most popular actors, dancers, choreographers in the Arab world. It is the first post-war Lebanese musical with contemporary Middle Eastern, and more precisely Lebanese rhythms, such as the Dabke dance, which is at the foreground of the Lebanese national folklore.
It is also the first Lebanese film to be entirely funded by private Lebanese investors. This represents a breakthrough in terms of production because Lebanese films, like in most countries in transition, rely mainly on western cultural funds. Through a financial establishment, participation shares were issued allowing the private and business sectors in Lebanon and the Arab world to invest in the movie.
The music of Bosta has also been a great challenge. It has made it possible to join efforts between local composers (Ali el Khatib) and the Afro Celt Sound System, a British group from Peter Gabriel's label "Real World". Such collaboration is the first in the local cinema production scene.
As you may know Lebanon is passing through crucial changes and the present news show the urge to adjust the image one has of Lebanon. There is a call for freedom and change. This film is a timely film that deals with the contemporary Lebanese society in a creative way and gives a positive outlook to the future away from the stereotypical image of war and terrorism. Source: http://www.bostathemovie.com/

About the Director: Philippe Aractingi was born in Lebanon in 1964. After two years in London and Paris he returned to Lebanon, aged 21, and was hired by the LBC Television Network. His big numbers of documentaries include ‘The Dream of the Acrobat Child’ (1996), for which he won the Grand Jury Prize at the Film Festival of Beirut. ‘Bosta’ is his first fiction feature. Source: http://www.arabfilmfestival.nl

New Algerian Movie against Extremism

2007-09-29T16:43:00.000-07:00

Morituri (2007)

Director: Okacha Touita
Script Writer:
The movie is based upon the novel Morituri by the famous Algerian novelist Yasmina Khadra. Other writers have partecipated in writing the movie's script: Michel Alexandre, Nadia Char and Okacha Touita
Cast: Miloud Khetib (Commissaire Brahim Llob)
Azzedine Bouraghda (Lino)
Boualem Benani (Le directeur de la police)
Ahmed Benaissa (Commissaire Dine)
Rachid Fares (Lieutenant Serdj)
Release Date: April 25, 2007
Genre: Political Drama
Country: Algeria, France

Time: 1h 56
Music: Rachid Taha
Movie's Official website: http://www.morituri-lefilm.com/

Plot Synopsis: Civil war tears Algeria apart. Police captain Brahim Llob, also a writer in his spare time, spends his days hunting down Islamic fundamentalists. He has hence become their prime target; each day his fear grows as he goes to work at the Alger police headquarters. He must find a former senior government official’s daughter who has gone missing.Upright, with a biting wit and mocking attitude, cynical and disillusioned, Llob heads the investigation with his colleagues, officers Lino and Serdj. He quickly realizes that he’s treading on dangerous ground. His investigation leads him on the trail of a terrorist group given the task of wiping out Algerian intellectuals, and to people implicated in a scandal to do with the national bank.He then discovers, with the assistance of his colleague Dine, his ousted predecessor, that he has been manipulated by a politico-financial mafia. Now a nuisance for the powers that be, and on the brink of publishing Morituri, an exposé, Llob is forced to take early retirement – and to be fast about it. Source:

http://en.unifrance.org/
About the director: Okacha Touita was born in Mostaganem, Algeria. After studying at the Institut de Formation Cinématographique, he joined the film industry as an actor and director. He has also worked as assistant director on several films, notably with Olivier Assayas. In 1982, he directed his first feature, "Les Sacrifiés," which won the Georges Sadoul Prize and the Audience Award at the Orléans Movie Seminar. Touita is also a stage actor. Source:

http://en.unifrance.org/
About Yasmina Khadra: Yasmina Khadra is the pseudonym of the Algerian author Mohammed Moulessehoul, who was born in 1956. He took the feminine pseudonym to avoid submitting his manuscripts for approval by military censors while he was still in the Algerian army. He went into exile in France in 2000, where he now lives in seclusion. In his several writings on the civil war in Algeria, Khadra exposes the current regime and the fundamentalist opposition as the joint guilty parties in the Algerian Tragedy. Before his admission of identity in 2001, a leading critic in France wrote: "A he or a she? It doesn't matter. What matters is that Yasmina Khadra is today one of Algeria's most important writers." Source:

http://www.bookbrowse.com/

Yasmina Khadra's Official website: http://www.yasmina-khadra.com/

Algerian Movie against Extremism

2007-09-29T15:22:00.000-07:00

Bab el Oued City (1994)

Director: Merzak Allouache
Script Writer: Merzak Allouache
Cast: Nadia Kaci (Yamina), Mohamed Ourdache (Saïd), Hassan Abdou (Boualem), Messaoud Hattou (Mess), Nadia Samir (Ouardya), Michel Such (Paulo)
Release Date: November 10, 1994
Genre: Political Drama
Time: 93 minutes
Director of Photography: Jean-Jacques Mréjen
Sound: Philippe Sénéchal
Editing: Marie Colonna
Music: Rachid Bahri

Plot Synopsis: Bab El-Oued City, released in 1994 during the height of the violence that rocked Algeria for nearly a decade, gives and inside glance at the rise of Islamic radicalism in the medina of Algiers and its appeal for the population. (...)

(...) The central character in this scary drama is Boualem, a young baker. Throughout his neighborhood the fundamentalists, locally led by the fanatical Said, have placed loud-speakers upon the rooftops to broadcast their hateful propaganda. Unable to stand the noise any longer, Boualem destroys a speaker and tosses it into the sea. Said promptly seeks to mow him down for his impudence. Said's sister, a liberal who resents having to wear a veil and behave in traditional ways, has been seeing Boualem. He loses his job after Said pushes his boss, who actually despises Said, but fears retaliation, to fire him. Surrounding the main plot are many sub stories, each of which sharply illustrates the dangers of fundamentalism. Source: http://maghrebi-studies.nitle.org/; Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide.

About the Director: Merzak Allouach was born in Algeria. He studied film at IDHEC and has directed documentaries, comedy programs for Algerian television and five feature films: "Omar Gatlato" 1976, "Les aventures d’un héros" 1977, "L’homme qui regardait les fenêtre" 1983 and "Un amour à Paris" in 1986 (awarded the Perspectives du Cinéma Français prize in Cannes). His latest film "Bab El-Oued City" was presented in the "Un certain regard" section of the Cannes Film Festival in 1994. Source: http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/

The movie is available at the Middle East Media Research Institute's Library