African & Middle Eastern
Alice has precious few (but building) films from the Middle East and even fewer from the vast continent of Africa.
Middle Eastern films are often highly politicised, bringing subjects to the attention of audiences that would otherwise know little about them. Film makers are often dealing with various forms of political and social oppression and even armed conflicts to bring their stories to light. Exotic scenery, allegorical storytelling and close-up exposure to cultural norms, so different from our own, bring a kind of immersion only rivalled by being there.
To find a title from a specific country use the By Country link on the left.
Pictured: A Time for Drunken Horses
Prisoners of War: Series 1 (2009)
8.5/10
Starring: Ishai Golan, Mili Avital, Yael Abecassis, Assi Cohen, Adi Ezroni, Yoram Toledano
The Israeli drama which inspired the U.S. series "Homeland". "Prisoners of War" (or "Hatufim" - 'abductees' in Hebrew), tells the story of three Israe... Read more
Crimson Gold (2003)
7.5/10
Director: Jafar Panahi
Starring: Hussein Emadeddin, Kamyar Sheissi, Azita Rayeji, Shahram Vaziri
Masterfully directed by Jafar Panahi ('The Circle'), scripted by Abbas Kiarostami ('Ten') and based on a true story, "Crimson Gold" is a moving portra... Read more
The Idol (2015)
6.7/10
Director: Hany Abu-Assad
Starring: Tawfeek Barhom, Kais Attalah, Hiba Attalah
Mohammad Assaf is a young man with grand aspirations. A wedding singer from a refugee camp, he dreams of singing in the famed Cairo Opera House before... Read more
A Separation (Blu-ray) (2011)
8.3/10
Director: Asghar Farhadi
Starring: Leila Hatami, Sareh Bayat
Set in contemporary Iran, A Separation is a compelling drama about the dissolution of a marriage. Simin wants to leave Iran with her husband Nader and... Read more
Kippur (2000)
6.4/10
Director: Amos Gitai
Starring: Liron Levo, Tomer Russo
The film takes place in 1973, during the Yom Kippur War, in which Egypt and Syria launched attacks in Sinai and the Golan Heights. Although the story... Read more
Jerusalema (2008)
7.7/10
Director: Ralph Ziman
Starring: Rapulana Seiphemo, Ronnie Nyakale, Shelly Meskin, Jeffrey Sekele
Having cut his teeth on carjacking, young Lucky Kunene dreams of bigger scores with loose-cannon chum Zakes. Relocating to the rough-and-tumble Hillbr... Read more
Yossi and Jagger (2002)
Director: Eytan Fox
Starring: Ohad Knoller, Yehuda Levi
This unusual gay-themed war drama from Israel tracks a squad of soldiers stationed along the Lebanese border and the romantic relationship that develo... Read more
Viva Riva! (2010)
6.2/10
Director: Djo Munga
Starring: Patsha Bay, Manie Malone
Returning to his hometown of Kinshasa with a truckload of gasoline, hijacked from neighbouring Angola, that he's looking to unload for the right price... Read more
Life, Above All (2010)
7.1/10
Director: Oliver Schmitz
Starring: Lerato Mvelase, Harriet Manamela, Khomotso Manyaka
Based on Allan Stratton's novel "Chanda's Secrets", this moving drama set in South Africa tells the story of young Chanda (Khomotso Manyaka), a child... Read more
Prisoners of War: Series 2 (2012)
8.5/10
Starring: Ishai Golan, Mili Avital, Assi Cohen, Yoram Toledano, Gal Zaid
The Israeli drama on which the U.S. series "Homeland" is based. Series two starts where series one ended - Nimrode and Uri continue to pick up the pie... Read more