February 25, 2022
Around the World: The Middle East
With the tensions between the United States of America and basically all of the Middle East, it’s not hard to assume that some Americans would vilify this region and close themselves off to any of its culture. What a shame, for the Middle East has a rich film history as old as the silent era. For anyone diving into cultures of the Middle East, films are a great way to start, and here are some of the best.Cairo Station (1958)
This thriller follows Qiwani, a disabled newspaper man at the local train station, as his romantic obsession with a rogue saleswoman, Hannuma, becomes deadly. A spectacularly shot Hitchcockian-style thriller, Cairo Station leaves you with this uneasy feeling suspecting that something, somewhere is going to happen. Finishing off with an ending that’ll leave you on the edge of your seat, this is one you won’t want to miss if you’re a lover of suspense. Watch now on Netflix. Close-Up (1990) 
This film follows the court trial of Hossain Sabzian, a man who impersonated a famous Iranian director—Mohsen Makhmalbaf—to gain the trust and admiration of a random family. Somehow both a documentary and a drama, this is more of an engaging discussion of film and its impact on people. For any lovers of the art of cinema, this is especially one that you won’t want to miss. Watch now on Amazon Prime.