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Welcome to our foreign films page, featuring foreign movies in video and DVD format in languages from a host of countries. Note: unless stated otherwise, all videocassettes are in VHS and NTSC format, and all DVDs are for players that support Region 1 encoding (United States and Canada) and are in NTSC format. Check our DVD Compatibility FAQ for more information about region encoding, television formats, and other specifications. If you can't find what you need, please email us.
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Destiny Youssef Chahine A bold, radiant and intelligent film from Egypt's master director, Youssef Chahine. After the disciple of a great 12th century philosopher is burned at the stake for heresy, his young son decides that he will study under his father's mentor. Soon he is caught up in a battle between the philosopher's students and religious fundamentalists who object to their enlightenment. "...a rollicking intellectual adventure...a colorful, dynamic celebration of the joy of knowledge" (Sean Axmaker, Seattle Weekly). Videocassette in Arabic with English subtitles and letterboxed with enhanced subtitles; Egypt/France, 1997, 135 mins. Videocassette | $44.95
Man of Ashes Nouri Bouzid A powerful and controversial dramatic study of how masculinity and sexuality are viewed in Tunisian society. A young woodcarver, about to be married, is haunted by the memories of being raped as a child by his employer. Disturbed and confused about his own sexual identity, he relies on a sympathetic prostitute to ease his transition into the world of marital intimacy. The film's intensity and subject matter has led to many different readings of where the film stands on homosexuality. In Arabic with English subtitles; Tunisia, 1986, 109 mins. Videocassette | $37.95 DVD | $44.95
Alexandria Again and Forever Youssef Chahine Youssef Chahine directs and stars in this magnificent final entry in his semi-autobiographical Alexandria trilogy. A conflict with his leading man forces Yehia, now a filmmaker, to reevaluate his life, his industry and his own sexual and romantic longings. "It's an exhilaratingly imaginative and sophisticated movie, embracing a number of themes and styles (including some marvelous musical sequences), beautifully shot and performed" (Tom Charity, Time Out Film Guide). In Arabic with English subtitles. Egypt, 1990, 108 mins. Videocassette | $37.95 DVD | $44.95
Alexandria...Why? Youssef Chahine Egypt's master director, Youssef Chahine, brings humanity and sensitivity to this drama about a bank clerk who dreams of finding fame and fortune in America. The young man struggles with issues of national identity and personal freedom as Rommel's army approaches at the height of World War II. This was the first feature in Chahine's autobiographical Alexandria trilogy, a compelling and personally revealing body of work. Winner of the Special Jury Prize at the Berlin Film Festival. In Arabic with English subtitles. Egypt/Algeria, 1978, 130 mins. DVD | $44.95
Angel on the Right Djamshed Usmonov Jamshed Usmonov's Tajikistani fable is set in the filmmaker's hometown and stars his mother and brother in leading roles. A deeply personal work, it chronicles the experience of a lowlife thug who returns to his native village to prepare for the imminent death of his mother, repay his creditors, and assume responsibility for his illegitimate child. Usmonov capably blends humor and pathos in his unique spin on the prodigal son story. In Tajik with English subtitles. Tajikstan, 2002, 89 mins. DVD | $44.95
Canticle of the Stones Michel Khleifi Documentary footage of Palestinian victims of Israeli oppression is blended with a narrative love story in this second feature from the director of Wedding in Galilee. Two middle-aged former lovers reunite when the woman returns from America and the man is released after years as a political prisoner. "Canticle's urgent mixture of permanence and transience, of the personal and the political, of history and desire, makes it an exemplary work of Arab cinema" (Steve Shapiro, Reflex). Videocassette in Arabic with English subtitles; Palestine, 1990, 110 mins. Videocassette | $44.95
Chronicle of a Disappearance Elia Suleiman In this bold, non-linear fiction with documentary elements, filmmaker Elia Suleiman tackles the issue of what it means to be a Palestinian today in psychological--rather than merely political or cultural--terms. Using several seemingly unconnected narrative threads, Suleiman (who plays himself in the film) creates a cohesive meditation on the unsettled state of life in his homeland. Winner for Best First Feature at the Venice Film Festival. In Arabic, Hebrew, and French with English subtitles. Palestine/Israel/USA, 1996, 88 mins. DVD | $44.95
A Door to the Sky Farida Ben Lyzaid At her father's funeral, a young Moroccan emigre is overcome by the voice of a woman chanting from the Koran. A friendship develops between the women as they set out to open a Muslim's women's shelter together. Issues of religious and cultural identity are powerfully addressed in this film with "...a bluntness and sympathy that seem genuinely surprising" (Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune). Videocassette in Arabic with English subtitles; Morocco, 1989, 107 mins., Videocassette | $44.95
The Dupes Tewfik Saleh Three Palestinian men from three different generations attempt to escape their impoverished lives in Iraq by crossing the desert to Kuwait, where the promise of work and freedom awaits them. A truck driver agrees to smuggle them across the border in this film about dispossession, despair and scraps of hope. "...a searing comment on the treatment of Palestinians by fellow Arabs, as well as being a gripping adventure of man against nature" (The Faber Companion to Foreign Film). Based on the novella, Men Under the Sun, by Ghassan Kanafani. Videocassette in Arabic with English subtitles; Syria, 1972, 107 mins. Videocassette | $44.95
An Egyptian Story Youssef Chahine Chahine's wonderful sequel to Alexandria...Why? was the second in his Alexandria trilogy. While undergoing open-heart surgery, Yehia sees his life in flashback, witnessing a metaphoric trial of where he stands with friends and family. Fictional scenes and documentary footage are combined to create a bold, energetic portrait of the character and his world. "...indulgent, exuberant and immensely likeable..." (Sheila Johnston, Time Out Film Guide). In Arabic with English subtitles; Egypt, 1982, 130 mins. Videocassette | $37.95 DVD | $44.95
The Emigrant Youssef Chahine The biblical story of Joseph receives a controversial adaptation at the hands of director Youssef Chahine in a film that was banned twice by the Egyptian government for its depiction of the prophet. Told from an Egyptian perspective and filmed among the ruins of antiquity, the film follows Ram (Chahine changed the characters' names to avoid persecution) as he travels to Egypt to study, only to end up a slave caught in the political and sexual games between a military leader and his wife, a priestess in the Cult of Amun. "...a fascinating retelling of the Genesis tale" (Derek Elley, Variety). In Arabic and French with English subtitles. The DVD is letterboxed, and includes a director's statement, a filmography and biography. Egypt/France, 1994, 128 mins. DVD | $44.95
The Extras Nabil Maleh An aspiring actor, working as a gas station attendant, courts a pretty young widow who is only allowed to see him under the watchful eyes of her overly protective brothers. They struggle to find time together alone, but once they accomplish this, they find society's scrutiny of them has made their intimate encounter awkward and helpless. This fine film, once banned in Syria, exposes how anxiety and shame affect young love. "An often funny and ultimately devastating viewing experience propelled by two standout performances" (Lisa Nesselson, Variety). Videocassette in Arabic with English subtitles; Syria, 1993, 100 mins. Videocassette | $44.95
Fertile Memory Michel Khleifi The feature debut of acclaimed filmmaker Michel Khleifi (Wedding in Galilee) was the first film to be shot within the disputed Palestinian West Bank "Green Mile." A blend of documentary and narrative filmmaking, Fertile Memory follows two Palestinian women struggling to survive in their occupied homeland. Haunting and beautiful. In Arabic with English subtitles. Palestine/Netherlands/Belgium, 1980, 99 mins. DVD | $44.95
Halfaouine: Boy of the Terraces Ferid Boughedir This breakthrough film from North Africa is a charming tale of a young boy's sexual awakening in Muslim Tunisia. Boughedir's style is sensual and full of joy, celebrating the pleasures of everyday life. "A source of wonder. Exquisitely sensual. Packed with humor" (Chicago Reader). The DVD is letterboxed, and includes the documentary on Arab cinema, Camera Arabe (Ferid Boughedir, 1987, 60 mins.); a stills gallery; and optional English and Spanish subtitles. Tunisia, 1995, 98 mins. Videocassette | $44.95 DVD | $44.95
Honey and Ashes Nadia Fares Caught between their cultural traditions and the allure of modern life, three women from contemporary North Africa try to gain control over their lives and their relationships with men. Their separate stories are woven together in this fresh and engaging examination of the feminine spirit. "Edgy...intelligent...a passionate statement about the condition of women in the Arab world" (Variety). French and Arabic with English subtitles. Switzerland/Tunisia, 1996, 80 mins. Videocassette | $37.95 DVD | $37.95
The Nights of the Jackal Abdulatif Adulhamid The ruler of a small Syrian village finds his power limited by the threat of howling jackals that keep him awake, which only his wife knows how to silence. "An engrossing story of a foolish peasant patriarch...Westernization, war with Israel and the plunging price of tomatoes take their toll as he watches his children go their own way" (John Hartl, Seattle Times). Videocassette in Arabic with English subtitles; Syria, 1990, 104 mins. Videocassette | $44.95
Once Upon a Time, Beirut Jocelyne Saab A city ravaged by war and unrest is seen in a very different light in this enchanting feature. Yasmine and Leila embark on a journey into the past when two rare films they have in their possession lead them to a reclusive film connoisseur. The magic of the movies offers them a mythological and historical view of Beirut as seen through the cameras of Arab, French and American films. "This reflexive voyage into a celluloid Beirut becomes the key to finding out to which Beirut one is returning, and to point to the new Beirut one wishes for the future" (Ella Shobat and Robert Stam, Cineaste). In French with English subtitles. Lebanon/France, 1994, 101 mins. Videocassette | $44.95
The Other Youssef Chahine Youssef Chahine wraps a love story into this bitter portrait of the Egyptian business world, while also touching on the links between power and fanaticism and globalization and terrorism. Adam, the son of a rich Egyptian businessman, falls in love with a journalist investigating the corrupt and wealthy elite, of which Adam's parents are deeply involved. When Adam turns against his family, his resistance comes at a heavy price for himself and his new love. "...a sweeping melodrama with a startlingly ecumenical vision" (J. Hoberman, The Village Voice). The DVD is letterboxed, and includes a director's statement, filmography and biography. In Arabic and French with English subtitles. France/Egypt, 1999, 106 mins. DVD | $44.95
Rachida Yamina Bachir Ibtissem Djouadi stars as Rachida, a young divorcee who teaches at a local elementary school. When she makes the controversial decision not to wear a veil over her face, Islamic terrorists kidnap her and try to force her to plant a bomb in her school. When Rachida resists, her life is put in immediate peril. Yamina Bachir-Chouikh's film is a powerful look at the legacy of Algerian terrorism and its capacity to effect the lives of everyday citizens. In Arabic and French with English subtitles. Includes director interview and biography, discussion guide, and film notes. Algeria, 2002, 100 mins. DVD | $44.95
Tale of the Three Jewels Michel Khleifi This moving parable was the first feature ever filmed in the Gaza Strip. It tells the story of Yussef, a 12-year-old boy who lives in an imaginary world of his own and often escapes from the surrounding violence to the beautiful Gaza countryside. One day he meets Aida, a ravishing gypsy girl with whom he falls in love. When Yussef declares his intention of marrying her when they grow up, she tells him that he must first find three jewels missing from her grandmother's necklace. This sets him off on an amazing adventure. In Arabic with English subtitles. Great Britain/Belgium/Palestine, 1995, 107 mins. Videocassette | $44.95
Turtles Can Fly Bahman Ghobadi Bahman Ghobadi's drama was the first film shot in Iraq after the fall of Saddam Hussein, and its tough-mindedness, lyricism, and urgency assure that it will be remembered as much more than a historical footnote. Like John Boorman's Hope and Glory, Ghobadi's drama explores the humorous and heartbreaking ways in which children respond to the grim realities of war. Set in a Kurdish refugee camp on the eve of the American invasion, the film chronicles the lives of 13-year-old Satellite (Soran Ebrahim) and his friends as they disarm land mines, scavenge for food, and overcome adversity with a thirst for adventure. "It's a soaring achievement, without ever leaving the ground" (Washington Post). In Kurdish with English subtitles. Iraq, 2004, 98 mins. DVD | $44.95
West Beirut Ziad Doueiri Ziad Doueiri, a cameraman whose resume includes several Quentin Tarantino productions, left Hollywood behind to make this impressive directorial debut. Based on his own childhood memories, the film follows three friends trying their best to have a normal adolescence even as civil war tears their city apart and youthful joy gives way to tragedy. "...an evocative coming of age tale in the vein of The 400 Blows and Empire of the Sun" (Anthony Kaufman, Filmmaker). Winner of the FIPRESCI International Critics Award at the Toronto International Film Festival. In Arabic and French with English subtitles. Lebanon/France, 1998, 105 mins. Videocassette | $44.95
The Bride Market of Imilchil Steffen Pierce/Christian Pierce This film captures a unique Moroccan marriage ritual that occurs for three days each September. The event has even become a tourist attraction and the presence of Western observers--including the filmmakers--is questioned as the documentary addresses the divide between Arabic and Western culture. In English and Arabic with English subtitles. Morocco/USA, 1988, 58 mins. Videocassette | $44.95
The English Sheik and the Yemeni Gentleman (Bader Ben Hirsi) This film follows Bader Ben Hirsi, a British-born Yemeni living in London, as he returns to Yemen to rediscover the country, its people and traditions. He travels throughout his ancestral homeland with eccentric Englishman Tim Makintosh-Smith as his guide, and they forge a friendship while exploring the stunning Yemen countryside. In English and Arabic with English subtitles. Yemen, 2000, 76 mins. Videocassette | $44.95
Hanan Ashrawi: A Woman of Her Time Mai Masri This is a very personal profile of Hanan Ashrawi, the Palestinian spokeswoman who emerged as a formidable negotiator and speaker on the international stage. The film goes beyond her status as a public figure, exploring her family life and what drives her to balance the demands of being a political activist, writer, and mother. Videocassette in Arabic with English subtitles; Palestine, 1995, 50 mins. Videocassette | $44.95
Hostage of Time Jean Khalil Chamoun The hopes and dreams of the people of southern Lebanon are seen through the eyes of a young woman doctor in this documentary. Returning to her home village, she witnesses the strong bonds of community as people struggle to rebuild their lives in the aftermath of conflict and tragedy. Videocassette in Arabic with English subtitles; Lebanon, 1994, 50 mins. Videocassette | $44.95
Nasser 56 Mohamed Fadel Dramatizing one of Egypt's boldest actions, this authentic and suspenseful film focuses on the 1956 nationalization of the Suez Canal orchestrated by President Nasser and the conflict that came in its wake. Incorporating newsreel footage from the period and shot in black and white, this proud portrayal of Egypt's defiance of greater military and political powers became the country's top-grossing film. "...a splendid, highly engrossing historical epic..." (Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times). Arabic with English subtitles; Egypt, 1996, 140 mins. Videocassette | $59.95
Suspended Dreams Jean Khalil Chamoun/Mai Masri Four Lebanese people try to rebuild their lives after a long, devastating civil war. The film offers honest and revealing portraits of its subjects: two ex-militia fighters from Beirut, a woman searching for her husband, and a playwright from southern Lebanon. In English and Arabic with English subtitles. Lebanon/Great Britain, 1992, 50 mins. Videocassette | $44.95
