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Eight Films That Portray Another Side of the Mideast

With so much news focused on the violent strife that plagues the Middle East, heartache and despair sometimes seem the pre-eminent themes of the region. From Iran to Lebanon, Al-Monitor looks at films that instill hope in their audiences — and show the other side of life.
Asghar Farhadi, director of Iranian film "A Separation", kisses his award for Best Foreign Language film during the 84th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California February 26, 2012.  REUTERS/Mike Blake (UNITED STATES - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-BACKSTAGE)

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) 

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