Arab Film

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Undergraduate

This course examines how cinema in the Arab world constitutes a space through which filmmakers negotiate and reflect on significant political, cultural, social, and aesthetic themes and concerns. Students will learn about certain cinematic genres in the Arab world such as the thriller, comic, melodramatic, romantic, and epic, and will explore how issues of independence, colonialism, poverty, women’s rights, and political freedom are visually represented. Although Egypt is considered the biggest film producer in the Arab world, the course aspires to represent various cinemas across the region, from Tunisia and Algeria to Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, and Palestine, introducing students to notable moments and phenomena in the history of these cinemas. Of particular interest to this course are filmmakers such as Youssef Chahine, Nacer Khemir, Moufida Tlatli, and Elia Suleiman. The course will be taught in Arabic and all films will be in Arabic with English subtitle. Students have to watch the films outside class and devote class time to discussion. The course will be a chance for students to learn and compare different Arabic dialects that are used in these films. In addition to film viewings, students will be required to read critical and theoretical articles (mainly in English) that pertain to class discussion.