Movie-Database: Movies
WHEN ARABS DANCED
Credits
Name: WHEN ARABS DANCED
Country: Marokko; Frankreich; Ägypten; Iran; Belgien
Year of publication: 2018
Format: DCP
Color: color and b/w
Language : OF frz./engl./nl./arab. m. dt. UT
Duration: 84 Minuten
Direction: Rhalib, Jawad
Guest: Rhalib, Jawad
Abstract
Jawad Rhalib presents the many facets of Arab and Iranian culture that are now being suppressed, namely their love for dance and music, and also for literature, philsophy and science. Wilfully ignored by racists, fundamentalists and the media, these aspects have always been a key component of the Arab identity.
The largely humorous montage of archive footage, music and texts features a diverse range of material, with video recordings of everyday Arab and Iranian life from past decades, President Nasser’s scathing attacks on the Muslim Brotherhood, who want to force all women in Egypt to wear the hijab, arguments at rehearsals for the stage adaptation of Michel Houellebecq’s controversial book “Submission”, as well as interviews about gender identity in Middle Eastern societies. Rhalib examines how extreme Islamism has crushed freedom, creativity and these societies’ progressive values.