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
Three Monkeys (2008)
7.4/10
Director: Nuri Bilge Ceylan
Starring: Yavuz Bingol, Hatice Aslan, Ahmet Rifat Sungar, Ercan Kesal
Near the Bosporus, Eyüp and Hacer live in a modest flat with their son Ismail, in his twenties, who's doing poorly in his studies. Few words pass betw... Read more
Joy of Madness (2003)
7.2/10
Director: Hana Makhmalbaf
Starring: Agheleh Rezaie, Agheleh Farahmand, Bibigol Asef, Sima Asef, Haji Rahmodin, Razi...
Based on the premise that nobody would notice a 14-year-old girl brandishing a handheld camera, Hana Makhmalbaf, daughter of renowned Iranian filmmake... Read more
Offside (2006)
7.3/10
Director: Jafar Panahi
Starring: Sima Mobarak-Shahi, Shayesteh Irani, Ayda Sadeqi, Golnaz Farmani, Mahnaz Zabihi
In Iran, women are banned from sporting events, but during their country's 2006 bid for the World Cup, a handful of die-hard fans just can't resist se... Read more
Rock the Casbah (2013)
6.5/10
Director: Laila Marrakchi
Starring: Morjana Alaoui, Nadine Labaki, Lubna Azabal, Hiam Abbass
The whole family is reunited when Sofia comes back for her father's funeral. Quickly, inner problems are revealed. "Rock the Casbah is consistently en... Read more
Xala (1975)
6.8/10
Director: Ousmane Sembene
Starring: Thiero Leye, Seun Samb
Xala ('Impotence') is a Senegalese social comedy, filmed in the Wolof language. A rich, corrupt business executive marries for the third time for the... Read more
Son of a Lion (2007)
6.7/10
Director: Benjamin Gilmour
Starring: Niaz Khan Shinwari, Sher Alam Miskeen Ustad
A thoughtful and engaging meditation on post-9/11 Muslim society, from Australian director Benjamin Gilmour, about a sensitive adolescent being raised... Read more
Crossing the Bridge: The Sound of Istanbul (2006)
7.9/10
Director: Fatih Akin
Award-winning Turkish director Fatih Akin's colourful documentary celebrates the musical diversity of Istanbul, bringing both historic and recent expr... Read more
Working Woman (2018)
7/10
Starring: Liron Ben-Shlush, Menashe Noy, Oshri Cohen
Life at work becomes unbearable for Orna. Her boss appreciates and promotes her, while making inappropriate advances. Her husband struggles to keep hi... Read more
Masai - The Rain Warriors (2004)
6.5/10
Director: Pascal Plisson
Starring: Ngotiek Ole Mako, Paul Nteri Ole Sekenan, Parkasio Ole Muntet, Musurpei Ole Toro...
A group of un-tested Masai warriors sets out to bring back the mane of a mystical lion in hopes of ending the drought that threatens the very existenc... Read more
Buddha Collapsed Out of Shame (2007)
7.3/10
Director: Hana Makhmalbaf
This remarkable and beautifully shot Iranian film explores the fundamentalist Muslim Taliban regime through the eyes of children; too young to fully u... Read more