Ajami
(Scandar Copti & Yaron Shani, 2009, 120 min, Israel, in Arabic/Hebrew w/ English subtitles, Color, 35mm)

Introduced by Prof. Shai Ginsburg. Dept. of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies!

Palestinian Scandar Copti and Israeli Yaron Shani collaborated on this independent drama, which examines how the troubled relationship between their countries colors everyday life in the Middle East. Shakespearian in its scope and themes - revenge, loyalty, hope and despair - this Oscar nominated film draws us into the lives of two brothers fearing assassination; a young Palestinian refugee working illegally to cover his mother's medical expenses; and a Jewish cop obsessed with finding his missing brother. Through its unprecedented authenticity and immediacy, AJAMI forces us to look at the Middle East conflict through the commonality of the human condition and the tragic consequences of enemies living as neighbors.

“ACUTELY INSIGHTFUL…THE FILM [HAS] AN EXTRAORDINARY IMMEDIACY.”
A.O. Scott, THE NEW YORK TIMES

“FOUR STARS! VIVID…COMBUSTIBLE…DEEPLY HUMANE.
Takes harrowing, tricky circumstances and illuminates them with Scorsesian snap.”
Joshua Rothkopf, TIME OUT (NEW YORK)

“DON’T MISS IT…
[an] early contender for my 2010 best films of the year list.”
Amy Taubin, ARTFORUM

-- Ajami won a special distinction award at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival!

Cost: Free and Open to the Public

Sponsors: Program in Arts of the Moving Image (AMI), Duke Islamic Studies Center and Focus Program