Cinema
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The Silk Road Ensemble
"The Music of Strangers": A quest for perfect harmony
The Silk Road Ensemble has been a leading force on the cross-cultural world music scene for almost twenty years. A new documentary – ″The Music of Strangers″ – tells the story of the project. By Marian Brehmer
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Maghreb
Reviving the Tunisian tourism industry: Calling on the force
Tunisia′s appeal as a holiday destination hit rock bottom a couple of years ago when it became the target of several Islamist attacks. Having rescued a number of Star Wars film sets in south-western Tunisia from sinking into the desert sands, a local tourism agency is now hoping to attract the film series′ considerable fan base. By Silke Wunsch
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Interview with Egyptian film director Mohamed Rashad
A homage to life
In his first documentary film, "Little Eagles", director Mohamed Rashad moves from Alexandria to Cairo and back. On his journey, he links up the past and the present, raising many questions about the individual and society. Interview by Islam Anwar
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Controversial documentary on anti-Semitism
"Bibi" TV
An anti-Semitism documentary that aired recently on the German public channel ARD has come under fire for distorting the truth. To date, the ensuing debate has focused on censorship in public television broadcasting, poor communication and a commitment from the BILD tabloid newspaper to investigate the matter. But little attention has been paid to the nub of the issue: the film and its weaknesses. Commentary by Stefan Buchen
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″Touba″ – a film documentary
Pilgrimage to Sheikh Bamba
Director Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi's documentary film "Touba" is a chronicle of the largest Sufi pilgrimage in sub-Saharan Africa. A review by Marian Brehmer
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Profile: German-Turkish film director Fatih Akin
The cutting edge of reality
Fatih Akin′s latest film – ″Aus dem Nichts″ (In The Fade) – recently celebrated its world premiere at the International Film Festival in Cannes. The German-Turkish film director′s work revolves around the clash of different cultures, transcending borders to achieve a great truthfulness. By Anke Sterneborg
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Women in Moroccan cinema
For freedom and diversity
The Moroccan Film Festival in Berlin highlighted films made by women or dealing with women's issues. In interview with Elizabeth Grenier, the director of the Moroccan Cinema Centre revealed what he found most fascinating about the movies in the programme
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Women in Moroccan cinema
Included in the Moroccan Film Festival now taking place at the Babylon Cinema in Berlin, these movies feature the stories of women or were directed by female filmmakers – and depict the many challenges women face in the country. By Elizabeth Grenier
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″Gaza Surf Club″ – a film documentary
Cresting the wave
In the occupied Gaza Strip, young Palestinians get a taste of the freedom they lack through surf. Jochen Kurten met German director Philip Gnadt and producer Mickey Yamine to discuss their documentary "Gaza Surf Club"
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Mention-Schaar′s "Heaven will wait"
Rebels without a cause
Sonia and Melanie, two French teenagers fall into the clutches of radical Islamists: a new film takes a look at the real threat of Islamist radicalisation in Western societies. Review by Jochen Kurten
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Award-winning Iranian film director Asghar Farhadi
Watching the foundations crumble
How does human fragility express itself in a rigid social system? Oscar-winning filmmaker Asghar Farhadi′s "The Salesman" reveals the precariousness of urban middle-class life in the Islamic Republic. By Jasmin Astaki-Bardeh
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Merzak Allouache′s ″Tahqiq fel djenna″
Seventy two grapes
In his film ″Tahqiq fel Djenna″ (Investigating Paradise), which was awarded the Panorama 2017 prize at this year′s Berlinale, Merzak Allouache investigates the sexualised idea of Paradise as spread by Salafist preachers. By Rene Wildangel