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
Bamako (2006)
6.8/10
Director: Abderrahmane Sissako
Starring: Danny Glover, Aissa Maiga, Tiecoura Traore
An audacious blend of documentary and dramatic segments from filmmaker Abderrahmane Sissako, this indictment of global economic policy towards Africa... 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
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
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U-Carmen e-Khayelitsha (2005)
Director: Mark Dornford-May
Starring: Pauline Malefane, Andile Tshoni, Lungelwa Blou, Zweilungile Sidloyi, Andries Mba...
A vibrant and cinematic re-telling of Bizet's famous opera, set in modern South Africa, and starring the sublime Pauline Malefane as the eponymous cig... Read more
The White Masai (2005)
Director: Hermine Huntgeburth
Starring: Nina Hoss, Jacky Ido, Katja Flint, Antonio Prester
A truly incredible love story based on Corinne Hofmann's autobiography about her journey to Kenya and her culture-shock romance with a Masai warrior.... Read more
Zozo (2005)
6.7/10
Director: Josef Fares
Starring: Imad Creidi, Antoinette Turk, Elias Gergi, Yasmine Awad, Carmen Lebbos, Viktor A...
The Lebanese civil war is in full swing, but young Zozo (Imad Creidi) and his family try to carry on as normally as possible. Zozo's grandparents have... Read more
Ushpizin (2005)
7.4/10
Director: Gidi Dar
Starring: Shuli Rand, Michal Bat Sheva Rand, Shaul Mizrahi, Ilan Ganani
Devout Orthodox Jews Moshe and Mali (played by scriptwriter and devout Orthodox Jew Shuli Rand and his real-life wife) are celebrating Sukkot, a time... Read more
Live and Become (2005)
7.9/10
Director: Radu Mihaileanu
Starring: Yael Abecassis, Roschdy Zem, Moshe Agazai, Moshe Abebe, Sirak M Sabahat, Roni Ha...
In 1984, at the height of the Ethiopian famine, Israel put 'Operation Moses' into effect where they airlifted over 8000 Jews from the afflicted region... Read more
Tsotsi (2005)
7.3/10
Director: Gavin Hood
Starring: Presley Chweneyagae, Terry Pheto, Kenneth Nkosi, Mothusi Magano, Zenzo Ngqobe, Z...
Tsotsi, (a slang word for 'thug'), is a Johannesberg delinquent whose life has been a series of abandonments and abuse, resulting in a young man alrea... Read more
Paradise Now (2005)
7.5/10
Director: Hany Abu-Assad
Starring: Kais Nashef, Ali Suliman, Lubna Azabal, Amer Hlehel, Hiam Abbass
Golden Globe's Best Foreign Film is this taut drama concerning two Palestinian friends who have signed up to become suicide bombers. They are assigne... Read more