A personal journal of film and documentary reviews, and reviews of anything else that intrigues me.
Arabic-language Films, Middle Eastern Films
Mohamed Kordofani, “Goodbye Julia” (2023) A morning car accident becomes an unlikely catalyst in a plot that explores the complicated relationship, with all its differences, prejudices…
Arabic-language Films, Middle Eastern Films
Pavel Serezhkin, “Profiles in Courage: ENN Middle East reporter Gertrude Bellinger” (2019) Written and produced by The Grayzone journalist Rania Khalek who plays ENN Middle East…
Arabic-language Films, North American Films
Elan Dassani, Rajeev Dassani, “Seam” (2017) An excellent little film that could serve as a pilot for a television series, “Seam” posits that in the near…
Arabic-language Films, Middle Eastern Films
Nadine Labaki, “Capharnaum” (2018) I’m sure plenty of children around the world are serving time in juvenile centres for serious criminal acts including stabbing a man…
Sinan Saeed and Tom Duggan, “Aleppo Renaissance” (2017) Here’s a very welcome documentary on Aleppo and its significance in Syria’s history, culture and economy, and why…
Arabic-language Films, Middle Eastern Films
Haifaa al Mansour, “Wadjda” (2012) A heart-warming film on one girl’s desire for freedom, especially the freedom to be true to herself, “Wadjda” is remarkable for…
Arabic-language Films, Russian and Soviet Films
Russian Media Interview with President Bashar al Assad (16 September 2015) Syrian President Bashar al Assad granted a rare interview to representatives from various Russian media outlets including…
Arabic-language Films, French and French-language Films
Gillo Pontecorvo, “The Battle of Algiers / La Bataille d’Alger / La Battaglia di Algeri” (1965) Filmed 50 years ago, this Italian film drama of the Algerian…