Updated 21 June 2021
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6 Arab films that won big at Cannes

6 Arab films that won big at Cannes

We look back at six Arabic films that won big at the Cannes Film festival.

 

  • ‘Chronicle of the Years of Fire’ (1975)

    The Algerian historical film was directed by Mohammed Lakhdar-Hamina and is the first Arab film to take home the Palme d’Or award. 

     

  • ‘Divines’ (2016)

    This Houda Benyamina-directed film tells the story of a young girl who drops out of school and takes to selling drugs. It was named the best debut feature and granted the Caméra d'Or award.

     

  • ‘Omar’ (2013)

    This film directed by Palestinian auteur Hany Abu Assad won the Special Jury Prize in 2013 and was also nominated for the Best Foreign Language Film at the Oscars in 2014.

     

  • ‘Capernaum’ (2018)

    Directed by Lebanese filmmaker Nadine Labaki, this heartbreaking film was selected to compete for the Palme d’Or in 2018, and while it didn’t win, it took home the Jury Prize.

     

  • ‘Waves 98’ (2015)

    Ely Dagher, a Lebanese director, is the only Arab to have won the Palme D'or prize in the short film category at the festival for his animated film.

     

  • ‘Out of Life’ (1991)

    Directed by Maroun Baghdadi, this Lebanese film was awarded the Jury Prize at the 1991 Cannes Film Festival.