Five great arabic movies worth watching during the christmas holiday.

Submitted by jessica (canada) (Canada), Dec 11, 2018 at 13:15

I found out there are 5 great movies that is worth watching over the christmas holidays if anyone is interested. the production and movies are taking place in Morocco, lebannon or egypt. its about international marriage struggles with arab culture and religions and every daily life. i havent watch it yet maybe will watch it over the holiday if i have time. will be so busy during the holiday didnt even finished my christmas shopping done yet. but i read the plot sounds pretty interesting.

1. Halal Love

Lebanese tragicomedy, directed by Amine Bouhafa about love, marriage and... sex. While we will not see any sex scenes in this movie, the attraction is somehow present. After watching numerous American productions it's actually quite refreshing to see another take on the subject. Halal love presents four interconnected stories of Muslim men and women struggling with their love and marriage issues, while trying to stick to their religious rules. It's a funny, light, sometimes tragic and sad movie, touching in a subtle way subjects of homosexuality, divorce and single women in many Arabic societies.

2. Casa Negra

One of the first Arabic movies I watched is a Moroccan production, directed by Nour Eddine, telling the story of two young guys living in Casablanca, trying to break out from poverty and find love. This isn't a movie with breaking to the world agenda. It simply tells a story about young people struggling with their lives with problems that are relatable to many others across the world. One more thing that makes it entertaining (at least to me) is the city of Casablanca, presented in non-touristic way, where streets are a total maze, and people from different classes do not mix.

3. Paradise Now

As many would say, and I agree, it is a must watch. Paradise now directed by Hany Abu-Assad, is a very realistic picture of Palestinian-Israeli conflict, showing the story of two childhood friends, who decided to participate in a suicide bomb attack in Tel Aviv. Life under Israeli occupation forces many young people to take desperate attempts to fight for their freedom, make difficult choices but also to ask important questions whether this way of fighting the oppressor is actually the right one. There are no easy answers and clearly no sure solution. This is one of the movies that makes you think.

4. Wadjda

Filmed by Haifaa Al-Mansour, is outstanding among the others because it comes from Saudi Arabia. Well, this country is famous for many things, but making movies isn't one of them. To spice things up, this one is made by a woman. Wadjda tells a story of a little girl dreaming about having and riding a bike. While she signs up for Quran recitation contest to win the money, her mother struggles with her husband leaving her for his second wedding. I watched this movie totally by accident while it was on TV, but it never faded in my memory ever since.

5. Speed sisters

Second Palestinian production on my list is a documentary about girls making change in male dominated field: car races. Directed by Amber Fares shows not only breaking through gender stereotypes but also working the way in a difficult environment of occupied Palestine. It's a definitely engaging movie to watch with powerful message.

the forum been quiet lately. i guess everyone is busy with work and christmas is around the corner. I do wonder how is Lorna is doing and is she ok. having seen her post anything on here. wishing everyone well and a nice christmas holidays if im not going to be on.

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