'On Air' from movie hell
As soon as you think things could not get worse, they do. After enduring three days of primarily so-so films in the festival, "Ala El Hawa (On Air), the second…
Racism gets some Dutch kicking
When Wouter, an advertisement director, searches for an idea that best represents Dutch society and the foreigners in it for his first art-house film, he immediately dismisses multicultural dialogue. It's…
Dear God, look what they have done with thy name
In the Name of God was heralded by some critics as one of the most influential, groundbreaking Pakistani films of all time. Now I'm no expert on Pakistani films, but…
The Moroccans behind Hollywood's blockbusters
In 1966, late great Italian filmmaker Pier Paolo Pasolini went to a small Moroccan village to shoot his haunting piece of neo-realism "Oedipus Rex. A 19-year-old young man befriended the…
Bali and Beyond: A New Green Economics
Ve have read the science. Global warming is real, and we are a prime cause. We have heard the warnings. Unless we act, now, we face serious consequences. Polar ice…
Omelettes into eggs
I was awakened from deep sleep by the noise. There was a commotion outside, which was getting louder by the minute. The shout of excited people. An eruption of joy.I…
Hard Talk: The party, the government … and bets on reform
Egypt's democratic transformation can only take place after serious reform within the ruling party. There can be no democracy without free and fair elections which, in turn, will not take…
Real estate tax collectors resume strike, renew demands
CAIRO: Over 700 tax collectors from the Real Estate Tax Authority staged a sit-in in front of the Minister's Council yesterday, resuming a series of strikes that started last April.The…
University professors demand better wages, threaten to go on strike
CAIRO: University teachers are threatening to launch strike action in January 2008 if the Ministry of Education does not agree to negotiate with them over a bundle of grievances.At their…
