Interview with Nadine Labaki
The film Where Do We Go Now? will open in cinemas across Germany this week. It is set in a remote Lebanese village where Christians and Muslims live peacefully side by side and tells the story of how the women of the village use cunning and imagination to prevent war from breaking out among their menfolk. Mona Naggar met director Nadine Labaki in Beirut More »
The Road Movie ''Father Is Doing Fine''
"Father Is Doing Fine" is a turbulent comedy about the complex relationship between two brothers and the first German movie to be filmed in Jordan. The film's international cast and crew's working language is however English, and this is spoken in many different accents on set. Amira El Ahl watched them at work More »
International Book Fair in Riyadh
Just two years ago, the Riyadh Book Fair was derided for its presentation of harmless publications on cookery and faith. At this year's show, publishers showcased books exploring the challenges posed to the host nation by the Arab Spring. Ulrike Freitag with impressions from the trade event More »
Art Dubai
Gallerists, artists and the curious public decamped this week from the United Arab Emirates as Art Dubai drew to a close. As was to be expected, not only art, but also political messages played a major role at the fair. Werner Bloch reports More »
Interview with the Syrian composer Malek Jandali
The renowned Syrian composer Malek Jandali has composed a hymn to the Syrian revolution. In an interview with Falah Elias, he comments on the situation in his homeland and explains why he has no fear of a confessional conflict after the Assad regime has gone More »
The Israeli Film ''Sharqiya''
"Sharqiya" is the first Israeli film to deal with the dire situation of the country's Bedouins. At the film's international premiere at the Berlinale Film Festival in Germany, Igal Avidan spoke to screenwriter Guy Ofran, director Ami Livne and lead actor Adnan Abu Wadi More »
Art and Resistance in Syria
In Syria, a diverse cultural protest movement is rebelling against the Assad regime in a way that is both subtle and open. Charlotte Bank reports More »
The Tunisian Protest Singer Emel Mathlouthi
The young Tunisian singer Emel Mathlouthi left her mark on the Tunisian revolution with her song "Kelmti Horra" (My Word Is Free). Martina Sabra met with the politically engaged artist in Cologne, Germany More »
Youssef Ziedan's Novel ''Azazeel''
Youssef Ziedan's "Azazeel" was awarded the renowned Arab Booker Prize in 2009. Our reviewer Andreas Pflitsch says that this historical novel is a plea against religiously motivated violence More »
''Fetih 1453'' and the Conquest of Constantinople
Turkey's most successful blockbuster "Fetih 1453" is proof of how a nationalistic enthusiasm for the Ottoman Empire, and particularly for the conquest of Constantinople, has become a modern Turkish tradition. By Klaus Kreiser More »
