Cinema Escapist
Explore and connect the world through a cinematic lens
Review: Manijeh Hekmat’s “Bandar Band” Is An Empathetic Road Trip Through A Flood-Stricken Iran
BY Lorna Codrai
"Bandar Band" offers a portrait of young dreamers clinging to hope as they navigate through an environmental crisis in Iran.
Review: “Gaza Mon Amour” Is an Irresistibly Charming Film About Love And Desire
BY Lorna Codrai
In "Gaza mon amour," Palestinian filmmakers Arab and Tarzan Nasser offer a delightful look at a late-life romance within a conflict-ravaged territory.
Review: Egypt’s First Animated Feature “The Knight and the Princess” Champions Arab Storytelling
BY Lorna Codrai
"The Knight and the Princess" offers entertaining storytelling and a win for Arab representation in global animated cinema.
Review: “Son-Mother” Dismantles A Family Unit In Mahnaz Mohammadi’s Heartbreaking Debut
BY Lorna Codrai
Iranian women's rights activist Mahnaz Mohammadi's debut feature "Son-Mother" offers a personal take on prejudice and patriarchy.
Review: Saeed Roustaee’s “Just 6.5” Brutally Depicts Iran’s Drug Crisis
BY Lorna Codrai
Iranian director Saeed Roustaee's second feature "Just 6.5" exposes the shocking truth of Iran's deepening drug problem.
Review: Tunisia’s “Un Fils” Spotlights A Marriage and Country In Crisis
BY Lorna Codrai
Director Mehdi Barsaoui's "Un Fils" ("A Son") explores gender dynamics, healthcare, and a crumbling family in the wake of Tunisia's Jasmine Revolution.
Review: “The Perfect Candidate” Shows Saudi Arabia’s Evolving Women’s Rights Landscape
BY Lorna Codrai
Director Haifaa Al-Mansour’s “The Perfect Candidate” depicts the challenges a female doctor faces when she runs for local office in Saudi Arabia.
Interview: Director Oualid Mouaness Talks “1982,” His Feature Film Debut
BY Lorna Codrai
Director Oualid Mouaness' film "1982" stars prominent actress Nadine Labaki and tells a coming-of-age story amidst the 1982 Lebanon War.