For its 2007 edition, the Oriental Film Festival has selected a few movies in English or with English subtitles.

Asia and society, Nadia Naffa, documentary, Jordan, 5’, DVD.
A disabled woman fights for recognition in Jordan.

Being Osama, Mahmoud Kaabour and Tim Schwab, documentary, Canada/Emirates, 2004,
42’, DVD.
An intimate portrait of six men with different personal histories, interrests and personalities, but which have two things in common: their Arab origin, and a first name, Osama. What is their daily life like in Canada after 9/11?

The Better Half, Talya Salama, fiction, Israel, 2005, 19’.
Boaz, a shy young man, decides to reply to a classified put in the newspaper by the girl he secretly loves. As he has to send a picture, Boaz looks for a good one, and finds it…

Blanc (White), Antoinette Azrie, fiction, Syria, 7’, silent.
Kids and animals playing in nature… Imagination frees the camera.

Caution ! Comment Ahead, Dalia Al Kury, documentary, Jordan, 35’, DVD.
A young woman asks Jordanian women about sexual harassment in their country.

Puppets, Aida Shlaeffer, fiction, Egypt, 2006, 18’.
A young girl is traumatised by a difficult break-up.

Simi Turns 35, Galit Hoogi, documentary, Israel, 2005, 19’.
In Simi’s family, women marry at a young age. Except Simi, 35, who seems happy to avoid marriage. But her family does not understand…

Söfor, Gulden Durmaz, fiction, Turkey/Belgium, 2001,17’, silent.
Istanbul. Among the thousands of cars, a man drives an invisible one. Among the thousands of people passing by, a woman needs a car…

Vika, Tsivia Barkai, fiction, Israel, 2005, 16'.

Vika, 12, who stays at a pension, goes back home for the week-end. Her baby-sister is waiting, lying in dirt, crying. Vika tries to please her alcoholic mother, but fails as usual.

Weskeriet (The Wash), Hisham al-Zouki, fiction, Norway/Syria, 2006, 8’.
A presidential meeting is on the verge of a diplomatic incident because of a flag. Fortunately, two men take the initiative…<><>

West Bank Story, Ari Sandel, fiction, Unites-States, 2005, 21’.
West Side Story goes to the West Bank. Two enemy communities face each other over falafel stalls. An impossible love tries to overcome barriers. Music makes this modern Romeo and Juliet rock. Celebrated in several festivals, this short movie describes in a light way a
terrible situation.

Yasmine’s song, Najwa Najjar, fiction, Palestine, 2005, 19’.
Ziyad, a young Palestinian, sells flowers. At night, he secretly meets Yasmine, a villager, while her parents organise her future. An unexpected event changes everything…