Films

Film Sheds New Light on 'Assad Twilight'

By Salam Mir

Why did Bashar al-Assad fail to deliver the modern, liberal leadership he promised in 2000? What were the successes and failures of his father, Hafez al-Assad, whose bloodless 1970 coup launched a 30 year presidency? The Film, “Syria: The Assads’ Twilight”by directors Vincent de Cointet and Christophe Ayad, chronicles the rise of the regime, and its subsequent decline.

Having won 97.3% of the vote, Bashar al-Assad was sworn President of Syria in July 2000, promising a modern liberal leadership. The following decade of the son’s rule proved to be as oppressive as that of the father, the directors reveal.

Films

Genderless God and Pluralistic Islam Focus of New Film

By Salam Mir

How can we change negative perceptions in the West concerning Islam and Muslims? Philosopher-historian Fons Elder’s film, “Islam Unknown,” reviewed by Salam Mir, addresses this issue. In search for answers, Elder interviews eight respected, but unconventional Muslim intellectuals, on the War on Terror, nationalism, identity formation, “Otherness,” gender, sexual equality, and secularism.

Elders additionally shows how both Reza Aslan and Anouar Majid take European and Muslim history into account when they tackle questions of identity and “Otherness.” Both scholars agree that in the early modern period Christian Europe defined itself in opposition to Islam.

Films

Documentary Film Gives Voice to the Erotic Body

By

By Kim Jensen

Joumana Haddad, Lebanese feminist, author, and poet, founded Jasad, the Arabic Journal of Erotic Arts, in order to advocate for the sexual liberation for the Arab World. In her film, “Jasad & The Queen of Contradictions” Amanda Homsi-Ottosson combines interviews with Haddad, Jasad journal contributors, and critics, as well as reactions from the street, and footage taken from the literary salons of Beirut, the Queen of Contradictions herself.

Jasad & The Queen of Contradictions

Directed by Amanda Homsi-Ottosson

Women Make Movies, 2011, 40 minutes

“Jasad & The Queen of Contradictions” is a short documentary about “Jasad,” the Arabic journal of erotic arts founded and edited by Joumana Haddad, the Lebanese author, poet, and feminist.

Wives in Tension

By

Rebecca Joubin

In this exemplary documentary film, women (both veiled and unveiled, religious and secular) discuss the presence of Islam and secularism in contemporary Turkish ...

Women of Turkey: Between Islam and Secularism
A film by Olga Nakkas
Turkey/Lebanon
WMM, 2006

Does God Distinguish Gender?

Lynne Rogers

In “Rights and Wrongs, the Story of Women in Islam,” filmmaker Corinne Huq returns to the Quran to reestablish the precedents for women’s rights set forth by the Prophet Mohammed. Huq tackles the rights of women, like her predecessors such as ...

Divorce and Workplace Issues Focus of Moroccan Documentary

Wided Khadraoui

“Camera/Woman” is a poignant documentary set in Casablanca that touches upon the complex issue of gender in Moroccan society and focuses on a few key issues such as the lives of divorced women, the taboo of women working in certain professions, and the difficulties associated with challenging the established status quo.

A Tale of Two Networks

Bobby Gulshan

Nordin Lasfar’s “The Battle for the Arab Viewer” puts the debate about media bias and political influence center-stage. The film argues that despite pretenses to the contrary, neither Al Jazeera nor Al Arabiya operate in total objectivity.

Faces, Conversations, and Camaraderie in the Egyptian Revolution

Paige Donnelly

The revolution documented by Stefano Savona’s “Tahrir: Liberation Square” is not the sexy revolution of the media. Instead, Stefano Savona captures an organic Egyptian revolution – one of patience, uncertainty, and fraternity. The film is shot in Cairo on January 30, 2011, six days after Egyptians took to the streets.

The Road to Revolution: 'Goodbye Mubarak'

Joseph Sills

Though "Goodbye Mubarak" begins with a shot of Cairo’s Tahrir Square full of protest, director and writer Katia Jarjoura focuses on rising political tensions three months before the Egyptian revolution.

The Legacy of a Martyr

Paige Donnelly

The late Mohamed Bouazizi was a butterfly for Tunisia. In life, he went unnoticed by society’s radar. But in death, his small wings blew tremors throughout the Arab world; his self-immolation on December 17, 2010 was seismic for the region. His death epitomizes the butterfly effect.

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