The Middle Geeks

The Middle Geeks

Mae and Swara are two writers and geeks of West Asian (IE Middle Eastern) descent who discuss and review all things Southwest Asian and North African (SWANA, ie "MENA") representation each month, along with other entertainment topics. Come join us as we highlight positive depictions of SWANA people in popular media, review the latest popular releases, and just have a fun time nerding out. Follow us @TheMiddleGeeks, @MaeAbdu, @spiderswarz

  1. 12/31/2024

    Episode 70: "From Ground Zero" and 2024 in Review

    As the genocide in Gaza tragically continues, so does Palestinian resilience and resistance, including and especially in artistry and cinema. Now set to release nationwide in theaters January 3rd, via Watermelon Pictures, with legendary director Michael Moore as its executive producer, From Ground Zero, a compilation of 22 documentaries from Gaza and directed by Rashid Masharawi, is making more and more waves. Palestinian activist and writer Andrew Kadi joins us to review the documentary, give reflections on the state of Palestinian activism and filmmaking in 2024 and beyond, and much more in our wide-ranging discussion.   Follow Andrew on Bluesky @imak48.bsky.social and Twitter @imAK48   Our music is composed by Ashley Hefnawy. You can find more of her music here.   We are a proud member of the Hard NOC podcast family.   Swara's piece for The New Arab: Key moments and themes from the 2024 DC Palestinian Film and Arts Festival   Donate to Anera to help Lebanon Donate to Oxfam’s Lebanon Appeal Donate to Baitulmaal’s Lebanon aid Decolonize Palestine Donate to help Sudanese people feeling geopolitical violence Support the Palestinian American Medical Association (PAMA) and families in Gaza Islamic Relief USA: Support Families in Palestine   Follow us on Twitter: @TheMiddleGeeks Follow Swara on Bluesky @spiderswarz.bsky.social Subscribe to The Middle Geeks on Hard NOC Media Please support us on Patreon!

    1h 17m
  2. 10/03/2024

    Episode 68: 'The Rings of Power' Season 2 SPOILER Review

    The Rings of Power Season 2 has concluded, and we have back on our friend Arezou to go through all the details of the riveting sophomore outing of this take on J.R.R. Tolkien's Legendarium. But on that note, just how canonically faithful is the series, or does it take too many deviations from the source material? Either way, we discuss and praise the performances, particularly Black Iranian icon Sophia Nomvete as Princess Disa, and analyze how the overall storytelling still stays true to its literary sources. We also discuss the terrible news coming out of Lebanon, highlight where you can help, give our recommendations, and much more.   FULL SPOILERS for The Rings of Power Season 2 throughout   Follow Arezou on social media @ArezouAmin Tariq's piece for The New Arab: How Bisan Owda's Emmy win triumphs over Hollywood’s attempts to dehumanise Palestinians   Donate to Anera to help Lebanon Donate to Oxfam's Lebanon Appeal Donate to Baitulmaal's Lebanon aid Decolonize Palestine Donate to help Sudanese people feeling geopolitical violence Support the Palestinian American Medical Association (PAMA) and families in Gaza Islamic Relief USA: Support Families in Palestine   Our music is composed by Ashley Hefnawy. You can find more of her music here. We are a proud member of the Hard NOC podcast family. Follow us on Social Media: @TheMiddleGeeks, @spiderswarz Subscribe to The Middle Geeks on Hard NOC Media Please support us on Patreon!

    1h 38m
  3. 07/23/2024

    Episode 67: Star Wars: The Acolyte Season 1 Review

    Leslye Headland's The Acolyte, streaming on Disney+, is unique in more ways than one. As one of the most diverse Star Wars series, in front of and behind the scenes, with writers like the SWANA and Turkish Kor Adana, it presents a bold story in the era of The High Republic, showcasing the mistakes made by those in power and the reverberations for our main characters. Namely, twins Osha and Mae (Amandla Stenberg), Jedi Master Sol (Lee Jung-jae), Qimir (Manny Jacinto), as well as many others. To dive into this series and what it's trying to say, we have back on Arezou and welcome Noor. As both are High Republic fans, they bring invaluable insight into the discussion, as the series sets the backdrop for The Acolyte. What stood out to us? Does the series do a good job of portraying the Jedi Order? What does it have to say about how we view this universe and good and evil? We dive into all of that, give our recommendations, and much more.   SPOILERS for The Acolyte throughout Follow Arezou on social media @ArezouAmin and follow Noor @nimblenoor Donate to help Sudanese people feeling geopolitical violence Decolonize Palestine Support the Palestinian American Medical Association (PAMA) and families in Gaza Six ways you can support Palestinians in Gaza Islamic Relief USA: Support Families in Palestine   Our music is composed by Ashley Hefnawy. You can find more of her music here. We are a proud member of the Hard NOC podcast family. Follow us on Social Media: @TheMiddleGeeks, @spiderswarz Subscribe to The Middle Geeks on Hard NOC Media Please support us on Patreon!

    1h 14m
  4. 06/03/2024

    Episode 66: 'We Are Lady Parts' Season 2 Review

    Our favorite costume designer Isa joins us once again to review one of our all-time favorite series, Nida Manzoor's We Are Lady Parts, starring a British Muslim women punk band comprising of frontwoman Saira (Sarah Kameela Impey), lead guitarist Amina (Anjana Vasan), bassist Bisma (Faith Omole), drummer Ayesha (Juliette Motamed), and band manager Momtaz (Lucie Shorthouse). After finding mainstream success in Season 1, how does the band move up in Season 2? How will they remain true to themselves in the music industry that wants to control them? How will they contend with new Muslim bands on the scene like "Second Wife"? What were some of our favorite songs from this season? Why is Malala Yousafzai here? How was Nida Manzoor and her team able to masterfully incorporate so many rich stories in just six half-hour episodes? We need more of this amazing series and more like it! We also discuss the latest news about the genocide in Gaza. Namely, we discuss the potential for a ceasefire and how the political dynamics have changed positively for Palestine in the midst of the relentless murders of its citizens. Free Palestine.   SPOILERS for We Are Lady Parts Season 2 from 14:34-1:05:50 Follow Isa on social media @evilcleverdog. Read Swara's review of We Are Lady Parts Season 2 for The Nerds of Color, and check out his interview with Anjana Vasan and Sarah Kameela Impey. Read Mae's review of We Are Lady Parts Season 2 for ScreenRant.   Donate to help Sudanese people feeling geopolitical violence Decolonize Palestine Support the Palestinian American Medical Association (PAMA) and families in Gaza Six ways you can support Palestinians in Gaza Islamic Relief USA: Support Families in Palestine   Our music is composed by Ashley Hefnawy. You can find more of her music here. We are a proud member of the Hard NOC podcast family. Follow us on Social Media: @TheMiddleGeeks, @spiderswarz Subscribe to The Middle Geeks on Hard NOC Media Please support us on Patreon!

    1h 17m
5
out of 5
21 Ratings

About

Mae and Swara are two writers and geeks of West Asian (IE Middle Eastern) descent who discuss and review all things Southwest Asian and North African (SWANA, ie "MENA") representation each month, along with other entertainment topics. Come join us as we highlight positive depictions of SWANA people in popular media, review the latest popular releases, and just have a fun time nerding out. Follow us @TheMiddleGeeks, @MaeAbdu, @spiderswarz

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