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      Kaleem Aftab

      Kaleem Aftab

      Contributor
      Location
      London
      Kaleem is the author of an authorised biography of Spike Lee titled Spike Lee: That’s My Story and I’m Sticking To It. He selects films for the East End Film Festival and gives programming advice to festivals around the globe. He has been working as a freelance journalist specialising in Arab, European and American indie cinema since 1999.
      Follow on XInstagramLinkedIn

      Articles

      The conflict between Nasser, right, and his son Waleed drives Abdulmohsen Aldhabaan's debut feature film, 'Last Visit'. Courtesy Last Scene Films
      Saudi director takes on father-son relationship in first feature

      'Masculinity is usually defined by its power. But in this movie we wanted to show when it was fragile,' says Abdulmohsen Aldhabaan

      FilmJuly 01, 2019
      Himesh Patel, from 'Eastenders', in the new Beatles film 'Yesterday'. Universal Pictures
      How this 'EastEnders' actor landed the role of a lifetime

      In 'Yesterday', the stars aligned to allow the British institutions of Curtis, Boyle, an EastEnders actor and The Beatles to work in tandem

      FilmJune 30, 2019
      Palestinian-Danish director Mahdi Fleifel. Photo by Ulysse del Drago
      What inspires Danish-Palestinian director Mahdi Fleifel to make films

      The Dubai-born filmmaker tells Kaleem Aftab about how he is moved to tell the ‘David v Goliath’ story of his homeland, Palestine

      FilmJune 28, 2019
      A scene from 'Sons of Denmark', directed by Ulaa Salim. Courtesy Alibi Communications
      Iraqi-born director's 'Sons of Denmark' focuses on extremes

      The debut film from Danish-Iraqi director Ulaa Salim details a world where attacks on ethnic minorities are normalised

      FilmJune 26, 2019
      The UAE has invested billions into renewable energy sources. AFP
      International cultural event opens with praise for the UAE

      The Emirates' investment in renewable energy has been lauded as a key case study at a conference

      June 20, 2019
      The success of 'Parasite' proves US audiences are interested in films made outside of Hollywood. Courtesy IMDb
      Palme d'Or winner Bong Joon-ho: 'Rich people are parasites too'

      The director tells us why his Palm d’Or-winning film ‘Parasite’ cements his style for disrupting conventions

      FilmJune 16, 2019
      Behind the scenes on the set of ‘Jinn’ in Jordan. Courtesy Netflix
      'Jinn' director believes series could kick start more Middle East shows

      The Sundance-winning filmmaker has long specialised in making films that bridge the gap between East and West, but is wary of criticism in representing minorities

      TelevisionJune 13, 2019
      Huma Qureshi at last month’s Cannes Film Festival. Getty
      The many faces of Huma Qureshi

      We discover how the star is challenging the perception of Indian actresses

      TelevisionJune 12, 2019
      The film looks at how some of Lebanon’s Christian elite live their lives. Courtesy Batabat Production
      'Beirut, la vie en rose': the new film that looks at Lebanon's Christian elite

      We speak to Eric Motjer, whose latest documentary focuses on the decadence of the country’s Christian elite, a group unfazed by conflict

      FilmJune 04, 2019
      Elia Suleiman in 'It Must Be Heaven', which won a Special Mention at this year's Cannes Film Festival. Photo: Carole Bethuel
      Camera18
      Palestinian filmmaker makes a strong statement without saying a word

      The Palestinian director, whose satirical film 'It Must Be Heaven' won at Cannes, uses experiences from his own life

      FilmMay 26, 2019
      Lubna Azabal, left, and Nisrin Erradi star in ‘Adam’. Courtesy Films Boutique
      Maryam Touzani's 'Adam' is a warm film about a powerful friendship

      The Moroccan director tells us about the chance encounter that inspired her tale

      FilmMay 20, 2019
      Director Mounia Meddour had been trying to make 'Papicha' for five years. Courtesy Jour2Fete
      Mounia Meddour on why it took her five years to make 'Papicha'

      We meet the Algerian filmmaker in Cannes to talk through what inspired the movie

      FilmMay 19, 2019
      From left: Celine Sciamma, Jessica Hausner, Justine Triet and Mati Diop. Getty; WireImage
      Why has a woman never won the Palme d’Or outright at Cannes?

      Jane Campion shared it in 1993 but other than that it’s been men all the way for 71 years. Could this year be different?

      FilmMay 12, 2019
      A scene from the documentary 'On The President's Orders'. Courtesy CPH:DOX
      New film shines spotlight on Duterte’s brutal war on drugs

      We chat with Olivier Sarbil and James Jones about their new documentary on the Filipino President’s controversial policy

      FilmApril 22, 2019
      Kore-eda Hirokazu, director of Shoplifters, a Magnolia Pictures release. Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures.
      In a world without 'Roma' would 'Shoplifters' have won an Oscar?

      Japanese auteur Hirokazu Kore-eda says it's 'impossible to know' if his film might have beaten 'Roma' at the Oscars, if Netflix films had been barred

      FilmApril 18, 2019
      More Articles

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