Movies About The Middle East

From Nadine Labaki, starring Zain Al Rafeea, Yordanos Shiferaw, Boluwatife Treasure Bankole, Kawsar Al Haddad
Rated R

Capernaum is a 2018 Lebanese drama film written, co-edited, and directed by Nadine Labaki. The film follows the story of a 12-year-old boy named Zain who, after running away from his negligent parents, is sent to the streets of Lebanon. With no resources and no options, he takes a desperate bid to sue his parents for the “crime” of giving him life. The film paints a vivid and affecting portrait of life in the slums of Beirut, and follows Zain as he embarks on an odyssey of self-discovery in a desperate attempt to find a place in the world. Along the way, he meets a wonderful cast of characters, including Rahil and her infant son, Yonas; Souad, a young woman in need of Zain's help; and the feisty and resourceful street kids who Zain soon calls friends. As Zain's situation continues to deteriorate and he finds himself a pawn in a broken legal system, he must ultimately find the courage and determination to save himself and his newfound family. With astonishing performances and a powerful soundtrack, Capernaum is a heartbreaking yet ultimately uplifting experience.

From Asghar Farhadi, starring Payman Maadi, Leila Hatami, Sareh Bayat, Shahab Hosseini
Rated PG-13

A Separation is a 2011 Iranian drama film written and directed by Asghar Farhadi. It tells the story of a married couple, Simin and Nader, who have reached a crisis point in their relationship due to resolving conflicting priorities. Simin wants to leave the country for a better life abroad with their daughter, Termeh, while Nader insists on staying in order to look after his ailing father. When a judge rules in favor of Simin, Nader hires a young woman, Razieh, to look after his father while he is at work. But when Razieh's religious convictions conflict with Nader's, their already strained relationship takes a turn for the worse. The film deals with a wide range of social and cultural issues, such as the difficulties of marriage, the rights of women, and child custody. Ultimately, A Separation is a powerful portrait of a family in crisis, willing to go to great lengths to protect their interests.

From Gillo Pontecorvo, starring Brahim Hadjadj, Jean Martin, Yacef Saadi, Samia Kerbash
Rated Not Rated

The Battle of Algiers is a 1966 Italian-Algerian historical war drama film directed by Gillo Pontecorvo and starring Jean Martin and Saadi Yacef. The film chronicles the events of the Algerian War (1954-1962) as seen through the eyes of the Algerian revolutionaries who fought against French colonial rule in the 1950s. The film follows the efforts of the Algerian National Liberation Front (FLN) as they engage in a guerrilla campaign of attacks and counter-attacks against the French military in Algiers. Through a series of vignettes, the film illustrates the tactics used by the FLN to outsmart the French military and gain sympathy and support from the population, as well as the heavy-handed measures taken by the French to suppress the rebellion. The film culminates in a powerful and heartbreaking scene of the FLN's victory parade through the streets of Algiers. The Battle of Algiers is widely regarded as one of the greatest war films ever made.

From Nuri Bilge Ceylan, starring Haluk Bilginer, Melisa Sözen, Demet Akbag, Ayberk Pekcan
Rated Not Rated

Winter Sleep is a Turkish drama film directed by Nuri Bilge Ceylan. It follows the story of Aydin, a former actor turned wealthy hotel owner, living with his much younger wife, Nihal, and his sister, Necla, in a small village in Central Anatolia. As winter sets in, Aydin's life spirals out of control, with Nihal wanting to leave him, Necla demanding her share of the inheritance, and the villagers coming to him for justice. Through his interactions with those around him, Aydin realizes the injustice and hypocrisy of his own privileged position, and his failure to live up to his own moral code. Winter Sleep is an exploration of the human condition, and a powerful meditation on the struggle between our need for love and our need for self-preservation.

From Asghar Farhadi, starring Golshifteh Farahani, Shahab Hosseini, Taraneh Alidoosti, Sajjad Dolati
Rated TV-PG

About Elly is a 2009 Iranian drama film directed by Asghar Farhadi. The plot follows a group of middle class Iranian friends on a holiday to the Caspian Sea. They bring along a young teacher, Elly, to introduce her to a prospective suitor, but upon their arrival strange events begin to unfold. As the group begins to unravel secrets from the past, Elly’s fate hangs in the balance. With a taut screenplay and a powerful ensemble cast, About Elly is a suspenseful, emotionally charged exploration of friendship, guilt, and redemption.

From Asghar Farhadi, starring Taraneh Alidoosti, Shahab Hosseini, Mina Sadati, Babak Karimi
Rated PG-13

The Salesman is a 2016 Iranian drama film written and directed by Asghar Farhadi and starring Shahab Hosseini and Taraneh Alidoosti. The film follows Emad and Rana, an Iranian couple who are forced to move out of their apartment after the building collapses. They move into an apartment owned by a former actress, and soon after, Rana is attacked in the apartment. As Emad begins to investigate the attack, he uncovers secrets from the woman's past that may be connected to the attack. As his investigation continues, it becomes clear that vengeance and justice are not easy to achieve. With the help of his friends, Emad must find a way to achieve justice and protect his wife.

From Dror Moreh, starring Ami Ayalon, Avraham Shalom, Avi Dichter, Yaakov Peri
Rated PG-13

The Gatekeepers is a 2012 documentary by Israeli director Dror Moreh that offers an unprecedented look at the inner workings of Israel's secretive security agency, the Shin Bet. Through interviews with six former heads of the agency, the film explores the ethical dilemmas faced by the Shin Bet as they navigate Israel's tumultuous political and security landscape. The film provides insight into the agency's successes and failures, and examines the moral costs of its hard-nosed approach to counter-terrorism. It ultimately highlights the need for a new approach to security, one that balances security with human rights and justice.