Kawalis | Cinema, Television & Theater from the Arab World

The afikra عفكرة Channel
The afikra عفكرة Channel
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  • Film Interviews
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Formerly afikra’s Movie Night podcast, this series dives into the performing arts, from stage to the small and big screens. We zoom in on the work of some of the most noteworthy Arab actors, directors, scriptwriters, cinematographers, stage designers, producers, and crew who have worked on some of the best productions from the region – old and new. We ask questions about the industry, the writing and production processes, the behind the scenes, and genres behind some of the Arab world’s best films, TV series, plays and performances.

  1. Aug 12

    Poetry, Palestine & the Art of Poetic Tyranny | Hind Shoufani: Oscar-Nominated Filmmaker & Poet

    Rooted in a profound sense of cultural duty, Oscar-nominated and BAFTA-recognized filmmaker and poet Hind Shoufani unpacks a lifetime of artistic resistance and stateless identity. This conversation navigates the complexities of Palestinian liberation and the enduring legacy of the PLO through the poignant lens of her activist family. From the relentless grit behind her feature documentary, Trip Along Exodus, to her fifteen-year multimedia endeavor tracking Arab women poets in, The Poeticians, the discussion explores voices that boldly challenge both Western and Arab expectations. The episode culminates with an inside look into her upcoming 2027 release, They Planted Strange Trees,, which serves as a classical love letter to the resilience of indigenous Palestinian Christians reclaiming their ancestral land.   00:00 Introduction 01:02 Growing Up Secular & Socialist in the Arab World 06:03 Independent Paths & the Complexity of Belonging 09:44 Documenting Untold Realities 16:01 The Grit of Filmmaking a Father's Legacy 24:59 Subverting Expectations with The Poetitions Project 31:40 Giving Voice to Erotica, Grief & Diaspora During Conflict 37:18 A Poet's Impulse & Channeling Words in Dark Times 38:15 Reclaiming the Galilee: A Love Letter to Ancestral Roots 43:35 Structural Themes of Resilience and Looking Toward 2027   Hind Shoufani is a Palestinian filmmaker and writer living in New York. A Fulbright scholar and MFA graduate in Filmmaking from NYU, she was a writer in residence at the International Writing Program at the University of Iowa in 2011. Hind was also recently awarded a 2026 NYSCA/NYFA Artist Fellowship in NonFiction Literature. Her film work has earned international recognition, including a BAFTA and an Academy Award nomination for the short film The Present. She has directed, produced, and edited dozens of documentaries and experimental films over her 28-year career. Hind's feature documentary Trip Along Exodus screened in more than 40 cities, and she produced the Palestinian film Heavy Metal, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. Her poetry and prose have appeared in numerous international publications, and for nearly two decades she has curated Poeticians, a collective of poets and musicians performing in Beirut, Dubai, and Brooklyn. Dark Star Requiem is her first full poetry collection published in the United States with Diode Editions. She is currently working on her second Palestinian feature film "They Planted Strange Trees.   Connect with Hind Shoufani 👉 https://www.instagram.com/gonewiththehind/   FOLLOW & RATE THE KAWALIS PODCAST:» Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afikra-movie-night/id1646405109» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6wG6CeZgE9LGtOVKwB6d5U» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1044639402THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORKExplore all episodes in this series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl7IMTj6Jk7yAJXCMMqxaP5A&feature=sharedABOUT AFIKRAafikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  2. Jul 29

    Celebrating 20 Years of Independent Film in Beirut | Founding director Hania Mroue

    Hania Mroue, founding director of Metropolis Cinema, breaks down the wild journey of building a cultural sanctuary in the heart of Beirut. From opening its doors one day before a war to being evicted with only 48 hours' notice, this is a story of grit and pure love for the big screen. We dive into the urgent mission of preserving Lebanon’s decaying film memory and why independent cinema is actually for everyone, not just the elite. It’s a raw look at how art survives in an unstable world, and why you should definitely skip the sofa for a real theater seat.   00:00 Introduction 02:11 Early Aspirations for a National Narrative 04:14 Establishing the First Regional Arab Film Festival 06:52 Testing the Waters of Public Interest 08:33 A Debut Marked by Regional Instability 10:50 Scaling Up the Vision 13:58 Navigating Sudden Displacement of the Cinema 16:54 The Broader Regional Film Network 24:50 The Fate of Physical Archives 27:35 The Weight of Global Platforms and Political Statements 33:44 Shifting Economic Realities and Streaming Impact 45:34 Challenging the Notion of Exclusive Spaces 51:04 The Irreplaceable Nature of the Theater   Hania Mroue is the founder and director of Metropolis Cinema, which opened in 2006 and is Lebanon’s only art house movie theater. In 2010, she launched MC Distribution, a company dedicated to selling and distributing Arab and international independent titles in the MENA region. She is a founding member of Aflamuna (formerly Beirut DC), created in 1998 to promote and support independent Arab films. For 10 years she has been the managing director of the Arab film festival Ayam Beirut al Cinema’iya. She was appointed as chief Arab programmer at the Doha Tribeca Film Festival (2010-2012). She has served as jury member for several film festivals around the world, including for Cannes’ Critics Week, the Berlinale, Cinema Du Réel and others. Most recently, she was a consultant for Arab film programming and industry events at the Marrakesh International Film Festival from 2020 to 2023.   Connect with Hania Mroue 👉 https://instagram.com/mrouehania   FOLLOW & RATE THE KAWALIS PODCAST:» Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afikra-movie-night/id1646405109» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6wG6CeZgE9LGtOVKwB6d5U» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1044639402THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORKExplore all episodes in this series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl7IMTj6Jk7yAJXCMMqxaP5A&feature=sharedABOUT AFIKRAafikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  3. Jul 15

    Telling Stories from Chad & Sudan in Their Local Voice | Filmmaker Bentley Brown

    Moving to Chad as a child in the late 1990s, filmmaker and scholar Bentley Brown grew up speaking Chadian Arabic. He discusses how his unique upbringing shaped his perspective on identity and storytelling and explores the complexities of being a chameleon between cultures. Using film and comedy to bridge gaps in understanding and challenge misconceptions about the Sahel region, he tells us about his early films screened at international festivals and his presence on social media to his recent work documenting the Sudanese Revolution and water crises in Chad, highlighting the power of art to preserve history and navigate the in-between spaces of global identity.   0:00 An Identity Formed in the Sahel 06:05 The Ethics of the Storyteller 12:07 Comparative Dialectology and Global Connections 22:56 Comedy as a Tool for Cultural Critique 29:33 Filming the Sudanese Revolution from Afar 40:08 Water, Trauma, and the Chadian Landscape 55:03 Chadian Music and the Synthesizer Revolution   Bentley Brown is a filmmaker and scholar whose work revolves around disidentification, language, and artistic translations of science. A Berlinale Talent, Durban Talent, and Africa Movie Academy Awards nominee, Brown’s past films include Behind the Sun (Hot Docs 2023), First Feature (International Film Festival Rotterdam 2019), and Oustaz (Berlinale 2016). Brown holds a PhD in Emergent Technologies and Media Arts Practices from the University of Colorado Boulder and has served as an Assistant Professor at the American University of Sharjah since 2023.   Connect with Bentley Brown 👉 https://instagram.com/waldbrown   Hosted by Mikey Muhanna   Connect directly with Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://instagram.com/mikey_mu   Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊 https://spoti.fi/47I59ns FOLLOW & RATE THE KAWALIS PODCAST:» Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afikra-movie-night/id1646405109» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6wG6CeZgE9LGtOVKwB6d5U» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1044639402THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORKExplore all episodes in this series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl7IMTj6Jk7yAJXCMMqxaP5A&feature=sharedABOUT AFIKRAafikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  4. Jul 1

    Making Sense of Lebanese History Through Cinema | Lana Daher, Director of "Do You Love Me"

    Filmmaker Lana Daher explores Beirut’s multifaceted soul through an archive-based journey centered on the haunting rhythms of the Bendali family’s 1978 track "Do You Love Me". This cinematic investigation navigates the intoxicating yet toxic duality of a city defined by generational cycles of trauma and creation.This massive undertaking involved over 4,000 hours of research into Lebanese independent cinema and journalistic archives to piece together a non-linear history of Lebanon. The investigation delves into why the Lebanese Civil War remains absent from national textbooks, leaving generations to uncover their history through the eyes of artists and oral testimonies. Lana Daher deliberately challenges Western media tropes of Beirut, focusing on the nuanced experiences of civil society through a meticulous blend of sound and image. The film offers potential for collective release by confronting trauma to move beyond it, standing as a celebration of the artists who documented and preserved Lebanese life when institutions failed to do so.   0:00 Introduction 1:33 A Filmmaker's Cinematic Archive 3:45 Navigating an Intoxicating and Toxic Duality 6:35 Relationship Between Music and War 8:48 Unpacking the Bendali Family’s Iconic Track 14:59 A Massive Eight-Year Undertaking 18:19 Over Four Thousand Hours of Research 22:54 Ode to Documentarians and Artists 26:30 Absence of History in National Textbooks 32:01 Layered Soundscapes as a Creative Pulse 34:12 Challenging Western Media Tropes 42:40 Intergenerational Trauma and Collective Release 51:50 Reclaiming a Personal and Shared Past 54:53 Essential Cinematic Recommendations   Lana Daher is a filmmaker and multidisciplinary artist based in Beirut, Lebanon. With a background in filmmaking (MA, Goldsmiths, University of London) as well as fine arts & graphic design (BFA, American University of Beirut), she has long been active in Beirut’s vibrant art and music scenes, working across sound, image, and archival practices. Her work is grounded in deep research and intuitive storytelling, exploring the space between documentary and fiction by bringing different time periods and emotional landscapes into dialogue. Do You Love Me her debut feature had its world premiere in September 2025 at the 82nd Venice Film Festival. It is an archive-based essay film built from Lebanon’s rich but fragmented audiovisual history. Alongside the film, she created a website, a curated index of the resources and materials behind the project, aimed at reconnecting Lebanese film heritage with both local and wider audiences. An IDFAcademy alumna, Lana also co-produced the film through her company, My Little Films, founded in 2024.   Connect with Lana Daher 👉 https://instagram.com/lanamakesfilms Hosted by Mikey Muhanna   Connect directly with Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://instagram.com/mikey_mu   Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊 https://spoti.fi/47I59ns FOLLOW & RATE THE KAWALIS PODCAST:» Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afikra-movie-night/id1646405109» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6wG6CeZgE9LGtOVKwB6d5U» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1044639402THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORKExplore all episodes in this series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl7IMTj6Jk7yAJXCMMqxaP5A&feature=sharedABOUT AFIKRAafikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  5. Mar 23

    A Lebanese Love Story: 30 Years of Life & Loss | Director Cyril Aris on "A Sad and Beautiful World"

    We discuss "A Sad and Beautiful World" with director Cyril Aris who shares the deeply personal and societal inspirations behind the film, spanning three decades of life in Lebanon. Written starting 2019 and recorded amidst ongoing instability in Lebanon, the conversation offers a nuanced look at the role of cinema as a witness to history, the challenges of creating art during intense political events, and the delicate balance between personal intimacy and national tragedy. Aris delves into his creative process, from the technical aspects of sound design to the emotional labor of building chemistry between his leads, while reflecting on the enduring spirit of resilience in the Arab world. Recorded on March 9, 2026   00:00 Introduction 04:36 The Genesis of the Idea for A Sad and Beautiful World 07:30 Filmmaking Amidst the Political and Economical Events in Beirut 10:08 Cinema as a Witness to History 16:13 Balancing Love Stories With Societal Context 27:31 Narrative Versus Documentary Direction 34:39 The Importance of Sound and Music Design 44:02 Casting and Collaborating With Mounia Akl and Hasan Akil 53:48 Uncredited Artistic and Literary Inspirations 01:00:10 Top Five Lebanese Film Recommendations   Cyril Aris is a Lebanese Director & Screenwriter and a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. His first fiction feature film, A Sad and Beautiful World (2025), produced by Abbout Productions (Lebanon) & Diversity Hire (USA) premiered at the 82nd Venice Film Festival in the Giornate Degli Autori competition, and it won the Audience Award. It was selected as Lebanon’s candidate for Best International Feature Film in the 98th Oscars. The film also played at BFI London Film Festival, and the Valladolid International Film Festival (Seminci) in Spain, where it won the Audience Award. Other awards include Best Screenplay at the Red Sea Film Festival in Saudi Arabia, Best Score and Youth Jury Award at Cinémed in France, the Grand Prize at the Rencontres Cinématographiques in Cannes, the Snow Leopard for Best Film at the Asian World Film Festival in Los Angeles, the Aurora Award for Best Film at Tromsø Film Festival, the Jury Prize at the MedFilm Festival in Rome, and the Audience Award in Ljubljana IFF in Slovenia, among others. His previous feature documentary Dancing on the Edge of a Volcano (2023), received a post-production grant from the Sundance Institute and premiered in the main competition at Karlovy Vary, where it won a jury special mention and won awards in Rotterdam, Valencia, Rome, San Francisco, Marseille, and beyond. His debut feature documentary The Swing (2018) won multiple awards across Europe and the Arab world. His fiction short film The President’s Visit (2017) won Oscar-qualifying awards and played in over 70 festivals. Aris also works as an editor, with credits including Costa Brava, Lebanon (2021), which won the NETPAC award at the Toronto International Festival, the audience award at the BFI London Film Festival, and the FIPRESCI award at El-Gouna. Connect with Cyril Aris 👉 https://instagram.com/cyrilaris   Hosted by Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://instagram.com/mikey_mu   Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊 https://spoti.fi/47I59ns FOLLOW & RATE THE KAWALIS PODCAST:» Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afikra-movie-night/id1646405109» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6wG6CeZgE9LGtOVKwB6d5U» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1044639402THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORKExplore all episodes in this series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl7IMTj6Jk7yAJXCMMqxaP5A&feature=sharedABOUT AFIKRAafikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  6. Feb 11

    Processing War & Absence in Southern Lebanon | Ahmad Ghossein

    Filmmaker and artist Ahmed Ghossein discusses his intimate, award-winning work, the unique challenges of producing cinema in Lebanon, and the complex relationship between art, war, and memory. Ghossein, whose films like My Father Is Still a Communist and All This Victory (Jidar Sawt) have garnered international acclaim, delves into his upbringing in southern Lebanon, the influence of his family's audio archives, and the profound split between the cultural realities of Beirut and the rest of the country. He also shares his shift toward black comedy and conceptual art to navigate the surreal post-2019 crisis in Lebanon.   0:00 Introduction 2:04 Childhood, Art and Cinema's Role In Growing Up 5:00 Growing Up In Nabatieh and the Cultural Scene Across Lebanon 7:38 The Divided Reality of War in Beirut Versus the South 10:09 The Filmmaker's Role: Capturing Reality vs Stepping Back 12:04 A Theater Education at the Lebanese University  16:23 The Success and Intimacy of My Father Is Still a Communist 17:21 Dealing With Personal Archive, Memory and Ethical Distance 21:03 My Father Is Still a Communist: The Cassettes and the Absence of the Father 28:26 The Relationship With Intimate Success and Being "Naked" 30:57 Success and Responsibility: Shifting Artistic Tools 31:47 The High Stakes of Filmmaking in Lebanon Due to Lack of Funding 33:46 All This Victory (Jidar Sawt): A True War Story 39:39 The Intention Behind Making Films 44:05 Conceptual Art and the Post-2019 Crisis in Lebanon 44:55 Art on Economic Crisis: The "How To Make Your Money Sell" Piece 47:06 Black Comedy and the Surreal Reality of Lebanon 50:39 Post-2019 Obsession With Therapy and Personal Healing 52:21 The Surrealism of Real Lebanese News Stories 53:15 Where To Watch Ahmed Ghossein's Films   Ahmad Ghossein is an artist and a filmmaker whose practice utilizes a number of media, including video art, installation, art in public spaces and film. The starting point of his work stems from the collecting and analyzing of facts, documents, and found footage and materials, which then feed into a body of work that draws on the potentialities of the moving image. His feature film debut All This Victory (2019) won the Grand Prize and the Audience Award at the Venice International Film Critics’s Week. His short film, White Noise, which was produced under the auspices of “Lebanon Factory,” opened the Director’s Fortnight of the Cannes Film Festival 2017. His Video work My Father Is Still a Communist (2011) commissioned by Sharjah at foundation was awarded best short film in Tribeca Doha Film Festival 2011 and was selected by MoMa and Berlinale and several festivals. His other short The Fourth Stage opened the Forum Expanded of the Berlinale Film Festival, Berlinale 2016. He was the co-artistic director of Beirut Art Center (2020-2021) and his work has been exhibited in countless museums and galleries around the world. Connect with Ahmad Ghossein 👉 https://instagram.com/ahmadghossein   Hosted by Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://instagram.com/mikey_mu   Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊  https://spoti.fi/47I59ns FOLLOW & RATE THE KAWALIS PODCAST:» Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afikra-movie-night/id1646405109» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6wG6CeZgE9LGtOVKwB6d5U» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1044639402THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORKExplore all episodes in this series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl7IMTj6Jk7yAJXCMMqxaP5A&feature=sharedABOUT AFIKRAafikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  7. 05/23/2025

    Arab Film Criticism & the Film Festival Economy | With Renowned Critic Ahmed Shawky

    We're joined by film critic and president of the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI), Ahmed Shawky, and delve into the role of film critics in the Arab world. We talk about Shawky's personal journey into critiquing films and the evolution of Arab cinema. Shawky shares insights on iconic Egyptian filmmakers, the impact of global cinema, and his experiences at various film festivals. We touch on the challenges of censorship and the future of the Arab film industry.  00:00 Introduction  00:37 Defining the Role of a Film Critic 02:00 Early Influences and Passion for Cinema 03:35 The Impact of the Internet on Film Criticism 08:42 Starting a Blog and His First Writing Job 11:46 Golden Age of Arab Cinema 15:55 Challenges of Film Criticism in the Arab World 19:57 The Life of a Modern Film Critic 25:14 Optimism and Challenges in Arab Cinema 29:38 The Role of Film Festivals 31:27 The Growth of Filmmakers on the Global Scene 32:25 Advice for Arab Film Festivals 34:19 Successful Film Festival Models 39:47 The Role of Saudi Arabia in the Arab Film Industry 48:14 Challenges and Optimism in Censorship 52:22 Rapid Fire Questions Ahmed Shawky is a Tanta-born Egyptian film critic, programmer, and president of the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) and the Egyptian film critics association (EFCA). He publishes weekly articles about cinema and entertainment industry, mainly in three major Arabic websites: Filfan.com, Fasllah.com, and Schehrezade.com. He has published eight books Egyptian cinema, and worked for many festivals like El Gouna, Cairo, and Malmo. In 2010, he presented his first film, A Life's Box, then directed The Green Tape, and A Guinea Pig, before making his first documentary, Once Upon a Place. Connect with Shawky 👉 https://www.instagram.com/shawforlife Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gb Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊 https://spoti.fi/47I59ns FOLLOW & RATE THE KAWALIS PODCAST:» Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afikra-movie-night/id1646405109» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6wG6CeZgE9LGtOVKwB6d5U» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1044639402THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORKExplore all episodes in this series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl7IMTj6Jk7yAJXCMMqxaP5A&feature=sharedABOUT AFIKRAafikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  8. 04/11/2025

    The Untold Stories of Palestine | Farah Nabulsi, Director of The Teacher & The Present

    In this episode of Kawalis, we welcome Farah Nabulsi, the acclaimed director and writer behind films like "The Teacher" and the BAFTA-winning and Oscar-nominated "The Present." Nabulsi shares her powerful journey from her career in finance to filmmaking, highlighting her profound connection to Palestine and the human stories that inspire her work. The conversation delves deep into the reality of life under occupation, unpacking the emotional and political complexities. Nabulsi discusses her creative process, the impact of her films, and the urgent need for empathy and awareness. This episode is a compelling exploration of humanity amid the ongoing atrocities on Palestinians. 00:00 Introduction: Understanding the Palestinian Struggle 01:11 The Journey of Making a Film About Palestine 03:25 A Personal Connection to Palestine 03:53 Witnessing the Reality on the Ground 06:59 The Emotional Impact of Injustice 09:53 From Banking to Filmmaking 13:41 The Power of Storytelling 26:04 Creating "Today They Took My Son" 32:23 The Impact of Short Films 34:26 Inspiration Behind "The Present" 36:52 The Journey of a Filmmaker 37:19 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome 38:12 The Birth of a Screenplay 38:43 Taking the Director's Seat 40:42 Reflecting on the Film's Impact 41:22 Navigating Cultural and Personal Challenges 42:31 Authenticity and Audience Reception 47:28 Nabulsi's Latest Film "The Teacher" 47:44 Casting and Collaboration 59:59 Exploring Human Dynamics 01:04:06 The Role of International Presence 01:06:30 Challenges in Distribution and Reception 01:11:59 Final Thoughts and Release Information Farah Nabulsi is a Palestinian-British, Oscar-nominated and BAFTA award-winning filmmaker and human rights advocate. Born, raised and educated in London, Farah began her career as an institutional equity stockbroker. She ended up with a CFA designation at JP Morgan Chase before moving on to build a children-focused business that she ran for 10 years. In 2015, she started working in the film industry and founded Native Liberty Productions, through which she writes, produces and directs fiction films, exploring topics that matter to her. She created a digital resource (oceansofinjustice.com) to deconstruct the Israeli military occupation of Palestine in a way never done before. Connect with Nabulsi 👉 https://www.instagram.com/farah.nabulsi/ "The Teacher" will have its US premier on April 11 in NYC and its nation-wide premier on April 18. Watch "Today They Took My Son" 👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDZy1VTfL60 Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gb Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊 https://spoti.fi/47I59ns FOLLOW & RATE THE KAWALIS PODCAST:» Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/afikra-movie-night/id1646405109» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6wG6CeZgE9LGtOVKwB6d5U» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1044639402THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORKExplore all episodes in this series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl7IMTj6Jk7yAJXCMMqxaP5A&feature=sharedABOUT AFIKRAafikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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Formerly afikra’s Movie Night podcast, this series dives into the performing arts, from stage to the small and big screens. We zoom in on the work of some of the most noteworthy Arab actors, directors, scriptwriters, cinematographers, stage designers, producers, and crew who have worked on some of the best productions from the region – old and new. We ask questions about the industry, the writing and production processes, the behind the scenes, and genres behind some of the Arab world’s best films, TV series, plays and performances.

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