Author: Christopher Resch

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Maverick and enfant terrible of the Arab film scene: Youssef Chahine (photo: picture-alliance/dpa)

Egyptian film-maker Youssef Chahine

The great visionary of Arab cinema

Obsessive, argumentative, yet well ahead his time artistically and in terms of the subject matter his films addressed: 11 years after his death director Youssef Chahine remains a lodestar for the emerging Arab independent film scene. Christopher Resch explains whyMore

Youssef Chahine: "Chaos": Sympathy with the upright citizens of EgyptInterview with Youssef Chahine: "Tenderness has disappeared"Obituary: Youssef Chahine: A cosmopolitan envoy of freedom
German journalist and author Birgt Svensson (source: screengrab, SWR mediathek)

Birgit Svensson's biographical account "Murderous Freedom"

Between heaven and hell – fifteen years in Iraq

Journalist Birgit Svensson arrived in Iraq in 2003 and never left, enjoying the dubious status of being the only German-language reporter in the country for much of the time since. Recently published in German, "Moerderische Freiheit" recounts her experiences, offering insights into Iraq that go beyond terrorism and war. By Christopher ReschMore

From Basra to Baghdad: Young Iraqis rise up for a life worth livingIraqʹs political future: Entering a new eraWomen writers in Iraq: Writing to stay alive
Still from "Bloody Beans" by Narimane Mari (source: YouTube)

Algerian cinema

Young, rebellious and full of beans

Algeria's young filmmakers are turning their attention to making films that engage with the country's violent past. Christopher Resch met up with three of themMore

Merzak Allouache′s ″Tahqiq fel djenna″: Seventy two grapes Qantara dossier: "Arab cinema"Algerian cartoonists at the cutting edge: Licensed to draw
Demonstrating against dictator Hosni Mubarak on Cairo′s Tahrir Square in 2011 (photo: dpa)

Egyptian video archive 858.ma

Nothing but the truth

The battle for images and symbols rages on: seven years after the start of the Egyptian revolution, the media collective Mosireen is trying to challenge the official state narrative with a wealth of citizen video material. By Christopher ReschMore

Official Mosireen websiteThe Mosireen Collective on YouTubeRepression and legitimation in Egypt: The world as al-Sisi sees itInterview with the Lebanese journalist Hazem Saghieh: More lapdog than watchdog
Scene from Ahmad Abdalla's Film "Decor"

Ahmad Abdalla′s film ″Decor″

Let the audience decide what′s real

"Decor," the latest film by the Egyptian director Ahmad Abdalla, is a tribute to the narrative power of cinema and to the eternal themes of freedom, love, and constraint. Christopher Resch watched the filmMore

Ahmad Abdalla's Film "Microphone": Cosmos of subculturesEgyptian cinema: Enormous creative energyQantara dossier: Arab cinema

In brief

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Most Recent Photo Essay

Saudi Arabia seen from above

Far from the glittering skyscrapers of Riyadh and Mecca mania, there is another side to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia just waiting to be discovered. By Eric Lafforgue