The Arabic nations have been plagued by various conflicts since the dawn of history. Whether it be war, economic problems, or political conflicts, Arabic countries have suffered to stand up from the wreckage. Though some countries have made their own prosperous risings, others remain haunted with this misfortune. Nonetheless, there remains a lively, inspiring, and ambitious artistic heart beating within these nations.
Below is a list of movies that defied the circumstances of their countries and managed to land a world wide recognition and a nomination in the academy awards:
1. "Z" directed by Costa-Gavras
"Z" is an Algerian-French film belonging to the political thriller category. Based on the 1966 novel "Z" by Vassilis Vassilikos the movie reflects a fictionalized series of events presenting the assassination of Greek politician Grigoris Lambrakis. Through it's satire and dark humor, the movie received various awards including but not limited to the Academy Award for best film editing, the Academy Award for best foreign language film (Algeria), and the Golden Globe for best foreign language foreign film (Algeria).
2. "LE BAL" directed by Ettore Scola
"Le Bal" is a unique dialogue-less Algerian film that describes a fifty year story within the French society through a ballroom in France. The film was nominated for the Academy Award for best foreign language film representing Algeria and won the cesar award for Best Film.
3. "Paradise Now" directed by Hany Abu-Assad
"Paradise Now" (الجنة الان) is a Palestinian film presenting the story of two men planning and getting ready for a suicide attack in Israel. The movie was well received for its human approach on the topic rather the political one. The film received an Academy Award nomination for best foreign film and won a Golden Globe for the same category. The first of it's kind.
4. "Omar" directed by Hany Abu-Assad
"Omar" (عمر) is a Palestinian Film that starts off as a love story between a baker and high school girl he intends to marry. After Omar's beating and humiliation by Israeli soldiers, his friends and himself try to attack an Israeli checkpoint. The film swiftly intensifies into a story of politics, spying, and conflict after the young man's arrest and release. The movie has harvested various awards including but not limited to Youth Jury Award Best film in the Ghent international Film festival, the Un certain Regard Jury prize in the Cannes film Festival, and the Taint d'or award in the Carthage Film Festival. The movie also was nominated for the Academy Award of Best foreign Language Film.
5. "Dust of Life" directed by Richard Bouchareb
"Dust of Life" is French-Algerian drama film that was nominated for the Academy Award for Best foreign Language Film as an Algerian submission and has won the Young Artist Award in 1995.
6. "Outside the Law" directed by Richard Bouchareb
"Outside the Law" is an Algerian-French film that presents the life of three Algerian brothers in France set during the Algerian independence movement and the Algerian war. The movie attracted controversy as it represented an unusual take at the Setif massacre. Nonetheless, the movie received an Academy award nomination for Best foreign Language film.
7. "Theeb" directed by Naji Abu Nowar
"Theeb" (ذيب) is a Jordanian film that presents the journey of young Bedouin Boy named Theeb. The boy must survive the Wadi-Rum desert alone. The movie takes place during the middle eastern representation of the WWI and after the Great Arab Revolt. This movie was nominated for the Academy Award of Best Foreign Language film making it the first Jordanian movie to gain such a nomination.
Though not a great number, it is still astonishing that the Arab nations have gained representation on worldwide stages. It is a must for more movies and artistic talents to be revealed so the world gathers the right image of the Arab nations.
