Production: Qatar, 2008, 200 min. - (Part I 97 min.; Part II 103 min.)  Documentary

With unique archival footage and an in-depth analysis by Israeli, Palestinian and British historians, this documentary tells an extraordinary tale, which still shapes affairs in the Near East today. The first part covers the period spanning 1799 to 1947, in which some of the plans for welcoming Jewish settlers into the territory of Palestine are described, as well as the role of the British mandate in responding to the Palestinian uprising which occurred from 1936 to 1939. The second part takes a more in-depth look at the events which occurred as of 1948, with the beginning of what is now called the Nakba, one of the consequences of which at present is the existence of more than 5 million Palestinian refugees in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and other countries.

Al Nakba won the award for best feature documentary on Palestine at the Al Jazeera Fifth International Film Festival (Doha, Qatar, 2009) and the public’s award at the AMAL Euro-Arab International Film Festival (Santiago de Compostela, 2009). It has been a participant in other film festivals in Brazil, Argentina, Italy, Jordan, Egypt and Palestine.

The second part of the documentary will be screened on Friday, May 18.

Production: Qatar, 2008, 200 min. (Part I 97 min.; Part II 103 min.)  Documentary

This documentary, to which Rawan Al Damen, its director, devoted ten years of his life, is divided into two parts and covers the origins of the Palestinian catastrophe (Al Nakba) up to today. With unique archival footage and an in-depth analysis by Israeli, Palestinian and British historians, this documentary tells an extraordinary tale, which still shapes affairs in the Near East today. The first part covers the period spanning 1799 to 1947, in which some of the plans for welcoming Jewish settlers into the territory of Palestine are described, as well as the role of the British mandate in responding to the Palestinian uprising which occurred from 1936 to 1939. The second part takes a closer look at what happened as of 1948, with the beginning of what is known as the Nakba, one of the consequences of which at present is the existence of more than 5 million Palestinian refugees in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and other countries..

Al Nakba won the award for best feature documentary on Palestine at the Al Jazeera Fifth International Film Festival (Doha, Qatar, 2009) and the public’s award at the AMAL Euro-Arab International Film Festival (Santiago de Compostela, 2009). It has been a participant in other film festivals in Brazil, Argentina, Italy, Jordan, Egypt and Palestine.

The first part of this documentary is being screened in Madrid on Friday, May 11.

Production: Egypt, 1996, 142 min. Fiction

The film focuses on Nasser’s most important political move: the nationalization of the Suez Canal in 1956. The film is an accurate reflection of the speeches and working habits of Gamal Abdel Nasser and provides a fine portrait of his relationship with collaborators and family. Nasser 56 will be remembered as a milestone in the history of Egyptian and Arab cinema in general, because it is the first movie to have shown the role of a contemporary Arab leader on film. The film has earned a place in the history of Egyptian cinema, because, in addition to having drawn in a large audience, which it disconcerted and surprised, it has played an important role in outlining the memory of the public at large about the most important figure in contemporary Egyptian history.

Directed by: Rachid Bouchareb
Production: France, Algeria, Belgium, Tunisia and Italy, 2010, 138 min.) Fiction

After World War Two, three Algerian brothers who were expelled from their homeland meet up again in Paris.  Messaoud and Abdelkader are fighting for their country’s independence in the National Liberation Front, whereas Saïd attempts to find his fortune in the boxing clubs and tenements of Paris’ Pigalle neighborhood. Their fates will end up being united with that of a nation fighting for its freedom. A realistic, powerful, complex viewpoint of the reasons for those in the uprising to put their lives at stake to seek the freedom of their country. In the case of Algeria, it would end up doing so in the year of 1962.

Cast: Jamel Debbouze, Roschdy Zem, Sami Bouajila, Samir Guesmi, Bernard Blancan,
Jean-Pierre Lorit, Corentin Lobet, Régis Romele, Chafia Boudraa, Stéphane Temkine, Ahmed Benaissa, Mourad Khen, Larbi Zekkal.

Awards: Nominated for Best Non-English Language Picture (Oscars, 2010), nominated for the Palme d’Or for Best Film (Cannes Film Festival, 2010), nominated for  Best Non-English Language Picture (Satellite Awards, Los Angeles, 2010).

Production: Lebanon, France, Belgium, 2004, 90 min. Fiction

Lina, a 12-year-old girl, doesn’t care about the war. Her secretive, rebellious childhood revolves around Siham, the 18-year-old maid who works in her aunt’s home. Lina spends all her time following Siham around, but she is as invisible to her as she is to the family. Through this inside story driven by two main characters, viewers are given a glimpse of the everyday life of Lebanon’s capital city during its war years.

Cast: Marianne Feghali, Rawia Elchab, Laudi Arbid, Aouni Kawas, Carmen Lebbos, Takla Chamoun, Roland Tomb, Roger Assaf.

Awards and Festivals: Europa Award, Filmmakers’ Fortnight (Cannes Film Festival, 2004), nominated for the Caméra d’Or award (Cannes Film Festival, 2004).

Directed by: Youssef Chahine, Amos Gitaï, Shohei Imamura, Alejandro González Iñárritu, Claude Lelouch, Ken Loach, Samira Makhmalbaf, Mira Nair, Idrisa Uedraogo, Sean Penn, Danis Tanovic
Production: France, 2002, 134 min. Documentary .

The attacks on September 11, 2001 have been of historical importance around the world, above all in terms of the Arab world’s fate since that date. This film is a collective work made up of 11 short-subject films directed by 11 filmmakers who represent great cultural diversity, with a common inspiration: the events of 9/11 in New York and their consequences. 11 minutes, 9 seconds and 1 image (11’09”01). All of the directors were guaranteed full artistic freedom with the sole commitment that they must deliver a message of peace and tolerance amongst all peoples.

Cast: Maryam Karimi, Mohamad Dolati, Agelem Habibi, Ernest Borgnine, Ken Ogata, Tetsurô Tanba, Tomorowo Taguchi, Mitsuko Baisho, Kumiko Aso, Taleb Adlah, Emmanuelle Laborit, Vladimir Vega (as well as others).

Awards: Nominated for Best Film from the European Union (César Awards, Paris, 2002),  FIPRESCI Award  for the best short-subject film -Ken Loach Segment-  (Venice Film Festival, 2002),  Freedom of Expression Award (National Board of Review Awards, New York, 2003).

Production: Iraq, United Kingdom, 2008, 155 min. Documentary

Told chronologically, it juxtaposes the paces and concerns of daily life with events of historical importance. Their personal story is a metaphor for a larger story, a reflection upon the major upheaval caused in Iraq as of the fall of Saddam Hussein’s government.

Cast: Alham Mohammed, Fatima Saad, Zainb Saad

Awards and Festivals: International Film Festival of Dubai, 2008; First Prize (International Documentary Film Festival of Munich, 2008), Golden Hawk Award (Rotterdam Arab Cinema Festival, 2008), Best Documentary Film (Arab Cinema Festival of California, 2008),  Second Prize for Best documentary (Gulf Film Festival, 2009).

Directed by: Leyla Bouzid
Production: (Tunisia, France, Belgium, United Arab Emirates, 2015, 103 min.) Fiction

What are now known as the “Arab Springs” in 2011 constituted a time in history which now forms part of the story of the twenty-first century, even though its consequences have yet to be determined in the case of many Arab countries. This fictional film is set in Tunisia during the summer of 2010, a few months after the revolution, and it shows us the social and political environment in which the revolutionary movements took root. The film’s main character is Farah, who is 18 years old and has just graduated from high school, and her family can already picture her with a medical degree. She does not share that dream, however. She sings in a socially committed rock group, drinks alcohol, discovers love and lives her city’s nightlife, all against the will of her mother, Hayet, who is very familiar with Tunis and its dangers.

Cast: Baya Medhaffer, Ghalia Benali, Montassar Ayari, Aymen Omrani, Lassaad Jamoussi, Deena Abdelwahed, Youssef Soltana, Marwen Soltana.

Awards and Festivals: Best performance by an actress (African Film Festival - FCAT, 2016),  Best European Film (Authors’ Day Section/Venice Days, Venice Film Festival, 2015), Audience Award (BNL Section/Venice Days, Venice Film  Festival (2015), Grand Prize for Best Film (Dubai International Film Festival, 2015),  Best Feature Film (Namur French Language Film Festival, 2015), Jury Award for Best Actress and  Audience Award (St. Jean de Luz Film Festival, 2015), the Bronze Tania Award, TV5 Monde Jury Award (Carthage Film Festival, Tunisia, 2015), Special Mention for Ghalia Benali, Audience Award and Critics’ Award (Mediterranean Film Festival of Brussels, 2015).