Autumn’s Lens: 6 Essential Arab Films That Embrace the Season
With us in October, the fall season is in full swing, and to mark the occasion, we are bringing you a collection of films to help you transition from the hot summer days to the windy and cozy world of autumn. Get your hot cup of cocoa and a blanket and tune into the following films:
The Silences of the Palace (1994)
This critically acclaimed film set in post-colonial Tunisia features a deeply emotional story of class, gender, and memory. We get to explore the life of Alia during the 1960s. There, she takes a step back to her past by visiting her place of birth, the palace in which her mother worked as a house servant and mistress.
The film’s muted palette and haunting score lend it a contemplative, autumnal feel, perfect for the reflective mood of the season.
West Beirut (1998)
Set during the Lebanese Civil War in the 1970s, we get to watch as two friends attempt to cross from the west to the east meaning that they were attempting to cross the Muslim-Christian line that divides Beirut, causing major conflict.
When it comes to the vibe, the film uses the changing environment and the turmoil in Beirut to evoke a sense of nostalgia, much like autumn, where things are in transition. Its sepia tones and coming-of-age story fit perfectly with the autumn season.
Baheb El Cima (2004)
Mahmoud Hemida is one of those Egyptian actors who has proven time and time again that he belongs in front of the screen. His role in Baheb El Cima was no exception, as we watch him excel at taking on the role of a dominating and strict father.
This film may not be the kind you’d associate with a cozy autumn, considering that it deals with complex adult themes, including sexual repression. Yet, if you enjoy the darker undertones of life that appear between autumn and winter, this is the film for you.
Caramel (2007)
Nadine Labaki’s film places a major lens on the lives of four women working in a hair salon. In that space, we explore the struggles to overcome social and religious restrictions.
Though lighter in tone, Caramel focuses on a group of women dealing with love, friendship, and societal expectations. Its warm color palette and bittersweet themes provide that cozy, yet reflective autumnal atmosphere.
“Wadjda” (2012)
Haifaa al-Mansour’s film chronicles the story of a young girl in Saudi Arabia striving for independence, giving a sense of personal growth and quiet determination, often associated with autumn. The film’s simplicity and emotional depth add to that vibe as well.
The Blue Elephant (2014)
This is a film that takes a dip into the dark side as the connection between a man and his beliefs is analyzed through the concept of a devil. As we watch psychiatrist Yehia Rashed (Karim Abdel-Aziz) attempting to help his friend Sherif El-Kordy (Khaled El-Sawy), who murdered his wife and is being held in the ‘Dangerous Cases Unit’.
In that journey, he loses himself and enters a dark world. With a dark, mysterious atmosphere and psychological depth, The Blue Elephant offers a haunting vibe, much like autumn’s more eerie side. Its themes of memory, loss, and the supernatural echo the introspection that often accompanies autumn.
From the haunting darkness of “The Blue Elephant” to the lighter world depicted by Labaki’s “Caramel”, these films introduce to you different aspects of the fall season. Tell us, which of these films will you add to your watch list?
