The Arab Film Club Podcast

Series 2. Episode 1: Cherien Dabis on All That’s Left Of You. In this episode, we speak with filmmaker and actor Cherien Dabis about her powerful film All That’s Left of You. We discuss the origins of this sweeping Palestinian family story, the deeply personal choices behind its casting including working with the Bakri family and what it was like for Cherien to direct herself in such an intimate role. Cherien reflects on making the film amid war, curfews, and escalating violence and the resilience required to keep going under impossible conditions. Cherien Dabis is a Palestinian-American Emmy Award nominated TV and Oscar shortlisted film director and an actress whose work includes starring in Mo Amer’s hit Netflix show Mo. Her latest feature film All That’s Left of You will be released in cinemas in the UK and Ireland on February 6th 2026 and is distributed by T A P E Collective. Find a screening near you: https://www.tapecollective.co.uk/feature-films/all-thats-left-of-you Hosted by Sarah Agha Produced by Hemeroscope Studios Music by Mina Samy Cover image by Stephanie Diani

On June 30th 2024, The Arab Film Club returned to the Southbank Centre for a special event for Refugee Week around the theme, 'Home'. The screening was followed by a Q&A hosted by curator Sarah Agha with the filmmakers in person. This bonus episode is a recording of the Q&A which took place on stage. The programme... Al Sit by Suzannah Mirghani (Sudan, 20 minutes) "In a cotton-farming village in Sudan, 15 year old Nafisa has a crush on Babiker but her parents have arranged her marriage to Nadir. Al-Sit, the powerful village matriarch, has her own plans for Nafisa's future. Can Nafisa choose for herself?" Beneath a Mother's Feet by Elias Suhail (Morocco, 15 minutes) "A single mother in Morocco, trapped in a mundane existence, confronts her dreams and fears, leading to the agonising decision to forsake all she knows, even her children." An Orange from Jaffa by Mohammed Almughanni (Palestine, 26 minutes) "Mohammed is desperately looking for a taxi to take him through an Israeli checkpoint. But when the driver discovers that Mohammed has already failed to cross the checkpoint, trouble begins." Presented by Sarah Agha.Audio recorded by Southbank Centre.Poster designs by Romin Miremadi.Music composed by Mina Samy.Episode mixing and mastering: Aodhagán O’Flaherty. Special thanks to Counterpoint Arts for partnering on this event.

Episode 4 : Annemarie Jacir on 'Wajib'. Annemarie has written, directed and produced over sixteen films with festival premieres at Cannes, Berlin, Venice, Locarno and Toronto. All three of her features were Palestine’s Oscar entries. She is the founder of the production company Philistine Films and the co-founder of the artist-run space Dar Jacir for Art & Research in her hometown of Bethlehem. The story of 'Wajib' follows an estranged father and son who must come together to hand deliver wedding invites as per traditional Palestinian custom. But as the pair spend the day together, can they put their differences aside or will the tense relationship comes to a head? Wajib is available to rent online from the BFI iPlayer, Apple TV and more. Series One : Palestinian Cinema.Produced and presented by Sarah Agha.Poster designs by Romin Miremadi.Music composed by Mina Samy. Episode mixing and mastering: Aodhagán O’Flaherty.

Episode 2: Lina Soualem on 'Bye Bye Tiberias'. Lina is an actress and filmmaker of Palestinian and Algerian heritage, born and raised in Paris. Through intimate storytelling, the film explores the life, love and losses of Lina's mother - the Palestinian actress and star of HBO's 'Succession' - Hiam Abbas. Logline: “Years after leaving her Palestinian village, Hiam returns home in this intimate documentary about four generations of women and their shared legacy of separation.” Bye Bye Tiberias premiered in 2023 at Venice International Film Festival and went on to screen at some of the world’s most prestigious festivals including Toronto, the BFI London Film Festival, the IDFA & many more. It was also chosen to represent Palestine at the Oscars 2024 and was nominated as Best Documentary at the 2024 Film Independent Spirit Awards. Series One : Palestinian Cinema.Produced and presented by Sarah Agha.Poster designs by Romin Miremadi.Music composed by Mina Samy.

Series One : Palestinian Cinema. Launches 1st May. Music by Mina Samy.