Most recent articles by René Wildangel
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Berlin's Human Rights Film Festival"Captains of Zaatari" – the unshakeable power of dreams
Berlin's annual Human Rights Film Festival closed at the weekend. One entry to the festival was the documentary "Captains of Zaatari". Its Egyptian director Ali El Arabi focuses on young refugees from Syria, who dream of escaping their dismal life in the Zaatari refugee camp with the help of football. Rene Wildangel reports for Qantara.de
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Film review: Marianna Kakaounaki’s "Invisible"Turkish refugees in Greece – out of sight, out of mind
Turkish refugees are for the most part invisible in Greece. In her film debut, the Greek journalist and filmmaker Marianna Kakaounaki portrays the fate of Turkish followers of the preacher Fethullah Gulen forced to flee their country after the coup attempt against Erdogan in 2016. Rene Wildangel caught a screening at the Thessaloniki Documentary Festival
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New books on the Middle EastThe clouds of war or the dawn of a new beginning?
German Middle East analyst Guido Steinberg and television journalist Ulrich Tilgner have both published new books on the conflicts in the Middle East. Their analyses and their forecasts for the region could not be more different. By René Wildangel
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Avi Mograbi's documentary "The First 54 Years"A "manual for the occupation"
In his latest documentary, "The First 54 Years", Israeli director Avi Mograbi demonstrates how catastrophic and traumatising the occupation has been, not only for Palestinians, but also for Israeli society at large. Rene Wildangel reports on the film for Qantara.de
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Berlinale 2021: Samaher al-Qadi's "As I want"“We’re meant to be ashamed of the way we laugh”
In her documentary, the young Palestinian filmmaker Samaher al-Qadi gives us a passionate and very personal view of what it means to be an Arab woman. Her film explores the oppression of women and its deep roots in society, but also women’s will to fight against it. By Rene Wildangel
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Interview with Israeli philosopher Omri BoehmThe Haifa Republic – full equality for Middle East peace
Given that the political landscape in Israel is once more expected to shift to the right in the upcoming general elections, philosopher Omri Boehm argues in his forthcoming book – "A future for Israel" – for more open discussion on alternatives to the failed two-state solution, including the taboo concept of a Jewish state. Interview by Rene Wildangel for Qantara.de
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Maya Zinshtein's documentary "'Til Kingdom Come"How America's Evangelicals are shaping the Middle East
In her documentary "'Til Kingdom Come", Israeli director Maya Zinshtein provides an eye-opening insight into the way Evangelicals shaped President Trump's agenda and highlights the massive influence they exerted on his Middle East policy. By Rene Wildangel
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Human Rights Film Festival BerlinLives in limbo
The Human Rights Film Festival Berlin has been held for the third time in 2020 under the patronage of Nadia Murad. In just a short time, this festival, which was initiated by the NGO Action Against Hunger, has evolved into a highlight in the German film calendar. By René Wildangel
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Book review: Daniel Marwecki's “Germany and Israel. White Washing and State Building“For more honesty in German-Israeli relations
The historian Daniel Marwecki’s latest work provides an important analysis of the complex motives driving German-Israeli relations since World War Two. Rene Wildangel read the book
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Winner of the Berlinale 2020: "Sheytan Vojud Nadarad"There is no evil, unless it's perpetrated
Mohammad Rasoulof’s film "Sheytan Vojud Nadarad" (There is No Evil) won the Berlinale, perpetuating the robust presence of Iranian cinema at the festival during the post-Kosslick era. The Golden Bear went to a powerful episodic film addressing the issue of difficult decisions and their consequences. In Iran, and everywhere else. By Rene Wildangel
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International Women’s DayAinouz' "Nardjes A." – hope as a form of resistance
Focussing on the Algerian protest movement, "Nardjes A." by Karim Ainouz, is about the universal power of hope to change the social and political status quo in the Maghreb country. By Rene Wildangel
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Non-fiction: "War in Syria. Resolving a global conflict"Refuting the populist mantra "Syrians go home"
Middle East expert Kristin Helberg has published an authoritative book on Syria. In it, she explains why the conflict there is by no means over. In her home country of Germany, however, the Syrian debate is short on hard facts and more often than not clouded by populist repatriation fantasies. By Rene Wildangel