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, 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…
Jenan Moussa, “Undercover in Idlib” (2017) Presented and narrated by Jenan Moussa, a reporter for Al Aan TV in Dubai, this 22-minute documentary on the situation…
Ziad Doueiri, “The Insult” (2018) On one level, this Lebanese film illustrates the power of an utterance to inflame hidden animosities and escalate them (in a…
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, 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…