Arab Film Distribution

by MovieMaker Staff | Published December 3, 2006

The 1990 Goodwill Games in Seattle, Washington saw the establishment of what is now a biennial tradition for the movie-friendly city: the Seattle Arab & Iranian Film Festival. That year, with only five movies under their belt, the producers of the festival began Arab Film Distribution. Now, with more than 300 available titles, it is the go-to source for films by or about the international Arab community.Arab Film Distribution represents the feature, documentary and short masterpieces of some of the Arab world’s most creative moviemakers. While the company has been around for 16 years, it seems more relevant today than ever beforeâ€”providing the western world with a bit of insight into the commonly misunderstood Arab culture. With the companyâ€™s help it has now become easier for the everyday American to get his or her hands on otherwise barely accessible films being produced in countries ranging from Morocco and Libya to Yemen and Iraq.

If you’re looking for the 1963 Egyptian comedy Mother of the Bride, Arab Film is where you’ll find it. Wall, the 2005 Sundance Special Jury Prize winner about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, is there too. Plus, don’t forget the classic The Battle of Algiers. So next time you’re desperate to fill your Netflix queue with something new and stimulating, why not explore Arab Film’s vast and varied collection. Visit http://www.arabfilm.com for more information.

Sound Off: What are some of your favorite Arab movies or moviemakers? Let us know in the comments section of the blog!

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Comment by Kutta on 2/15/07 at 3:10 pm

Whoâ€™s who in Palestinian cinema

Hany Abu Assad
Lives and works in the Netherlands. Most well-known for this acclaimed film â€œParadise Nowâ€ which was nominated for and Oscar and won the Golden Globes. Abu-Assadâ€™s work is humorous and engaging.

Tawfiq Abu Wael
Lives and works in Tel Aviv. Abu Waelâ€™s work is quiet, little dialogue and a very strong visual style. His work deals with rural life and patriarchy. One of the most â€œvisualâ€ of the filmmakers.

Annemarie Jacir
Lives and works in Ramallah. The only female working in fiction, her work is controversial, intelligent, with a strong visual and cinematic eye. Her work deals with borders, movement and class.

Michel Khleifi
Lives and works in Belgium. One of the first Palestinian filmmakers, though he has little recent work. His films focus on gender and self-identity.

Rashid Mashrawi
Lives and works between Paris and Ramallah. Raised in Gaza, began working in film production in Tel Aviv. Masharawi, one of the most original of the filmmakers, works in documentary, fiction and art installation/experimental video. He produces work often, always showing diversity and freshness.

Mai Masri.
Lives and works in Beirut. Masri is one of the earliest and most important documentary filmmakers. Honest, passionate and heart-felt. Her work deals with war and the flight of the Palestinian refugees.

Elia Suleiman
Lives and works in Paris. The most well known of all the filmmakers receiving awards from across the globe. His work is intelligent, dark-humored, resembles Jacques Tati at his best. A distinct visual style and has added meaning to the idea of the vignette.

Sameh Zoabi
Lives and works in New York. The â€œHollywoodâ€ filmmaker of the Palestinian scene. One short film to date which received attention in Cannes. His work is conventional, reflects an American-style of storytelling, and light.
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