Film Review: Mandoob (2023) by Ali Kalthami
“Mandoob” is an excellent film, equally entertaining, well-shot and interesting contextually, and a definite sign of the progress Saudi cinema is making. (Panos Kotzathanasis)
Interview with Ali Kalthami
Interview with Mohammed Algarawi
Film Review: Dalma (2023) by Humaid Alsuwaidi
Humaid Alsuwaidi revolves his script around Dana, a hard, determined woman who is willing to succeed in the island, in a way that goes completely against the norms there, to the point that she becomes the enemy of almost everybody. As such, and in rather realistic fashion, Alsuwaidi presents her as a woman filled with capabilities but also faults, with her strong headedness in particular and unwillingness to take even a step back making her both likable and unlikeable at the same time (on occasion if you prefer). (Panos Kotzathanasis)
Interview with Hira Mahmood and Rashed Hasan
Interview with Osman Aboubakr
Documentary Short Review: Khaled Al-Sheikh: Between The Thorns Of Art And Politics (2023) by Jamal Kutbi
Although essentially completely unknown in the West, Bahraini singer Khaled Al-Sheikh is one of the most famous musicians in the Middle East, particularly through his collaborations with many famous artists from the region. His name is synonymous with musical innovation, and his prowess have brought him numerous awards, but, at the same time, his political opinions and the time he retired, resulted in his audience being divided. (Panos Kotzathanasis)
Interview with Halkawt Mustafa
Interview with Yosep Anggi Noen and Shenina Cinnamon
Series Review: The Deal (2023) by Lee Jung-gon
Lee Jung-on directs a series that takes inspiration from the issues Korean society is facing nowadays, and particularly the discrepancies between the haves and have-nots, and the lack of proper parenting and its toll on the youths, with the formers once more shining through their absence. This, however, is just the base of a series that moves in a number of paths, with the absurdity of the kidnapping being just the beginning. In that fashion, the role Min-woo's mother plays, the appearance of a goon her involvement brings, the nosy neighbor and the girl of the neighborhood who wants to be a police officer all result in a rather intricate story that carries the series comfortably, at least for the three episodes that were screened in the cinema in Red Sea. (Panos Kotzathanasis)
