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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

Distant ( aka Uzak ) (2003)

7.7/10
Director: Nuri Bilge Ceylan
Starring: Mehmet Emin Yoprak, Muzaffer Ozdemir

Mahmut is a 40-year-old independent photographer living in Istanbul, and in a deep existential depression following his wife's departure. He's used t... 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

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

At Five in the Afternoon (2003)

6.9/10
Director: Samira Makhmalbaf
Starring: Agheleh Rezaie, Abdolgani Yousefrazi, Razi Mohebi, Marzieh Amiri

Samira Makhmalbaf's "At Five in the Afternoon" was the first film to be made in Afghanistan following the fall of the Taliban regime. Set in the ruine... Read more

A Thousand Months (2003)

6.3/10
Director: Faouzi Bensaidi
Starring: Fouad Labied, Nezha Rahil, Mohammed Majo

Set during Ramadan in 1981, "A Thousand Months" tells the story of Medhi, a seven-year-old boy (Fouad Labied) who lives in the Atlas Mountains. His jo... Read more

Osama (2003)

7.4/10
Director: Siddiq Barmak
Starring: Marina Golbahari, Arif Herati, Zubaida Sahar

The first feature film from post-Taliban Afghanistan, this award-winning drama is set during the radical Islamic regime's rule. With women forbidden t... 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

James' Journey to Jerusalem (2002)

7.5/10
Director: Ra'anan Alexandrowicz
Starring: Siyabonga Melongisi Shibe, Arie Elias, Salim Dau, Sandra Schonwald, Hugh Maseben...

A cannily droll mix of social commentary and modern fable, Israeli filmmaker Ra'anan Alexandrowicz's debut feature follows the adventures of James, a... Read more

Broken Wings (2002)

7.5/10
Director: Nir Bergman
Starring: Orly Zilbershatz-Banai, Maya Maron, Nitai Gaviratz

Orly Zilbershatz-Banai stars as Dafna, a mother struggling to keep her family afloat after the sudden death of their beloved father. Forced into a rol... Read more

Satin Rouge (2002)

Director: Raja Amari
Starring: Hiam Abbass, Maher Kamoun, Monia Hichri

A.k.a. "Red Satin". A Tunisian widow takes an unlikely journey of self-discovery in Raja Amarji's sumptuous and sensual "Satin Rouge". While investiga... Read more