Best Arab Films to Check Out in 2020

posted on: Jul 21, 2020

By: Emily Devereaux/Arab America Contributing Writer  

Film is an essential form of media as it is used to tell stories, to provoke emotions and to spark dialogue. While there have been many Arab films nominated for awards, not many have made it to center stage. Therefore, the conversation surrounding Arab films is even more important now. It is time we celebrate these artists and give them the recognition they deserve! Here is a look into the biggest films from the Arab world going into 2020 and a celebration of the refreshing improvement in representing women.

“Perfect Candidate” by Haifaa Al Mansour 

In her story “Perfect Candidate,” Al Mansour tells the story of Dr. Maryam who is an overworked medic running for a seat on the municipal council. Dr. Maryam becomes a symbol of women living in a male-dominated world and participates in a local election while staring down gender disparity and discrimination.

Hailing from Saudi Arabia, Haifaa Al Mansour is the country’s first female filmmaker. This film was screened in both Venice and Toronto during various renowned film festivals. From these screenings, it was introduced to the U.K. market. Reviews for this tale of resilience and empowerment are through the roof! Perfect Candidate was the first film supported by the Saudi Film Council. The film has since been selected as Saudi Arabia’s selection for the Oscars race and is revered among many for its message!

“Dear Son” by Mohamed Ben Attia

Attia focuses his drama on a middle-class Tunisian family and their relationship with their only son, Sami. The family faced financial struggles, however, they still prioritized Sami’s health and happiness. Since money was an issue, his upcoming Baccalaureate exams were important in his future.

Concurrently, his migraines were getting worse and the medication he was prescribed made him disinclined to study. With constant migraines, the pressure of exams, and his parents’ pressure, Sami went missing from his bedroom one night. Eventually, the family found that he joined ISIS in Syria. His father risked his life and resources to fly to Turkey in attempt to find his son.

This film depicted a struggle that is very real for some families in the Middle East: the risk of their child turning to radicalization. Ben Attia’s somber film was selected as Tunisia’s submission to the 2020 Oscars race.

“Poisonous Roses” by Ahmad Fawzi Saleh

Originating from Egypt, the story “Poisonous Roses” shows the ugly truth of one of Cairo’s most impoverished neighborhoods. This film specifically focuses on a brother-sister relationship between 22-year-old Saqr and 28-year-old Tahyea. However, Saqr, who is Tahyea’s little brother, wants to flee his poor tanners’ district. Tahyea takes it into her own hands to ensure her brother doesn’t leave Cairo. The central theme of the film is the prevailing strength between brother and sister.

Fawzi Saleh directs a calculated portrayal of Cairo’s impoverished communities. With a strong use of visual aids, Fawzi Sahel draws awareness to the living conditions within such communities. He also draws upon the dangers of tanneries, which is where leather products are made.

“Papicha” by Mounia Meddour 

“Papicha” was co-produced in France and Algeria. Set during the Algerian Civil War, women’s rights were becoming increasingly restricted. Amidst this civil war, there were many religious conflicts that pushed conservative Islamist ideologies on people. Therefore, women were being urged to cover up or they would be “taken care of.” This was in reference to women wearing the burqa. However, Nedjma, who is a young university student, takes the reigns of revolution. She decides to use public space to hold a fashion show, which would give women the opportunity to take control of their bodies and clothing.

The word Papicha is used colloquially in Algeria to describe a pretty and trendy girl. Therefore, this name fits the main characters Nedjma and her friends Samira and Wassila, who are a diverse group of friends that are passionate about empowering all women. Meddour directed the story of strong women and lends a hand to empowering girls in Algeria and other places.

“1982” by Oulaid Mouaness 

Similar to “Papicha,” 1982 also depicts the ugly consequences of war and is set at the beginning of the Lebanese Civil War. The story follows a schoolteacher in Beirut and one of her young students. Lebanon is invaded and the adults at the school try to hide their fear and anxiety from the students.

This schoolteacher sees the end of her relationship with another teacher as they stand on opposite ends of the political divide while the young boy, Wissam, musters up the courage to tell his classmate that he loves her.

Mouaness cleverly films the story from two perspectives: from the teacher and her student. These two perspectives are able to show the puzzles of love and war. However, Mouaness was able to piece together an accurate account of Israeli-Palestinian Conflict spillovers into Beruit because this film was based on his last day of school.

Elia Suleiman’s “It Must Be Heaven” 

In his film, Elia Suleiman gives his home country a piece of his heart in this story. As the writer, director, and star actor of this film, Suleiman tells the tale of a man traveling to different cities to find a place to live. Eventually, the lead actor is joined by a second actor, who is also seeking new beginnings.

This exodus follows complications and conflict in Palestine. However, the protagonists notice that in each city they visit, they are reminded of Palestine. In this subtly humorous and nearly silent film, the two men find themselves traveling from Paris to New York.

Each city demonstrates similar issues in Palestine: an alienating environment to Suleiman. However, he highlights the way many European people go about their days without paying mind to the issues that plague other parts of the world. Palestine is proud of its Oscar submission, which is visually stunning and carries important messages.

Maryam Touzani’s “Adam”

Touzani sets her drama in Morocco. She tells the story of an unmarried, pregnant woman named Samia who has begun to scour for work in order to create a better life for herself and her unborn child. Eventually, a baker named Abla takes in Samia. Abla is a widowed woman who sells pastries from her very own window. She also prides herself on self-sufficiency and refuses Samia’s help for a while.

Touzani made a great debut in her film “Adam,” which is loosely based on the story of when her family took in an unwed pregnant woman for a short period. At this time, being unmarried and pregnant was illegal in Morocco. Touzani takes matters into her own hands and tells the story of motherhood in many capacities, between Samia’s love for her unborn child and Abla’s love and protection over Samia.

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