With so much news focused on the violent strife that often plagues the Middle East, it could seem as if there is nothing but heartache and despair in the region. But movie-lovers know better. In the following films, filmmakers depict essential human experiences without relying on the region’s pervading violence. Instead, they turn their stories into compelling pieces of art that instill hope in their audiences—and show the other side of life.

A Separation (2011) 

As tensions between Iran, the West, and its neighbors in the Gulf continue to escalate, in the world of film, Iranian filmmakers continue to create universal stories. Asghar Farhadi’s film garnered numerous accolades this past awards season, including the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. The story of a married couple who has decided to divorce because one wants to leave Iran, while the other wants to stay,  A Separation transcends the limitations of culture and circumstance to show a story about people—wherever they may be. The characters have to deal with decisions about the future of their daughter, the care of an aging parent, and the conflicts of just being human under pressure.  A Separation relies on powerful performances along with Farhadi’s superb direction, and ultimately cuts to the core of complex and universal human emotions, proving the importance of honesty and forgiveness. It is a film that sings true to anyone in the world, even though this particular couple’s experience is an Iranian one.