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"The
Arab cinemas are both the product and the expression of a long and unresolved struggle for
the control of the image, for the power to define identity. That identity is clearly
rooted in the crossroads of culture of the region, extending as it does between Europe and
Black Africa, between the Atlantic and the Arabian Gulf, but also between the city and
countryside and desert ... between a colonial past and a nominally independent
present."
- film critic Mariam Rosen
History and development
The
early years of Arab cinema
From the first Egyptian film in 1925
The new
Arab cinema
From the 1960s
onwards ... films with a social conscience
The
struggle to be seen
Censored films, exiled directors - and the problems of
reaching a mass audience
Moroccan
cinema
History of the film industry in Morocco, with a guide to Moroccan films. Produced by the
Ministry of Information, but factual and interesting.
The
legacy of Salah Abu Seif, master of realism in Egyptian cinema
Ibrahim al-Aris
Al
Jadid magazine, Vol. 3, No. 15 (February 1997)
Father of neo-realism in Egyptian cinema passes away
With the death of Atef al-Tayeb, Egyptian cinema lost one of its prominent figures.
Al
Jadid magazine, Vol.1, No. 1, (December 1995).
Film listings
Internet
Movie Database
This is probably the most comprehensive
catalogue of Arab films. See country lists for titles
and links to directors, actors, locations, etc:
Middle
East Filmography
The University of North Carolina claims to have the most comprehensive and diverse collection of
films and videos of the Middle East and Islamic world. More than 500 titles
are listed, with full credit annotation and a
brief commentary. The
collection covers a wide range of topics and genres:
documentaries on art and architecture, anthropological,
geographical and political studies, literary classics and feature
films.
Middle East
Video Collection
At the University of California-Berkeley. Covers ancient,
classical, contemporary, immigrants, culture to politics.
Arab Film Distribution, based
in the United States, probably has the largest selection of Arab films available via
the Internet. Videos may be purchased worldwide, using a credit card. This extensive
website includes a catalogue
with critical descriptions of the films, which are listed by title or
country of origin.
Film festivals
Arab Film Festival
Held annually in San Francisco, it aims to provide "alternative
representations of Arabs that contradict the stereotypical images
frequently encountered in the American mass media". Festival
website Biennale of Arab Cinemas
(Biennale des Cinémas Arabe)
Held every other year in Paris since 1992. Focuses on work by Arab
film-makers. Festival website;
Internet
Movie Database Cairo International Film
Festival
Held annually since 1976. Festival
website Carthage Film Festival
(Journees Cinematographiques de Carthage)
Established in 1966 by the Tunisian ministry of culture. Held every
other year, it alternates with Damascus festival.Films submitted for
the competition must have a director of African or Middle Eastern
nationality. Festival website;
Wikipedia Marrakech
International Film Festival
Held annually since 2001. Festival
website Damascus International Film
Festival
Held every other year since 1979, alternating with Carthage. Festival
website; Internet
Movie Database Dubai International Film
Festival An annual festival established by Dubai Media City in
2004 with the aim of showcasing contemporary and classic global
cinema. Festival website Mid
East Film Festival
Held annually in Beirut since 1997. Its focus is to support
young talent from Lebanon and the Middle East and to encourage
co-production with the Arab and international community. Festival
website
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