Lebanon's resistance through culture: Return of Beirut’s Metropolis Cinema As Beirut continues to navigate its path toward recovery, Metropolis Cinema stands as a symbol of the enduring power of art and culture to resist, unite and inspire. Lebanon
Analysis How Saudiwood’s power play is reshaping Middle East film industry While the country's first entry at Cannes didn’t win, its inclusion in the festival was another step toward Saudi ambitions to become a film industry powerhouse. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
UK music festival rocked by boycotts as artists shun Israel The artists are refusing to play at the Great Escape Festival in Brighton, a seaside resort in South England, over one of the sponsors' ties to Israel. Israel
‘Written Eye’ exhibit breathes life into Syria's art scene Several young artists showcased their works at a new-concept exhibition held in the heart of the Syrian capital, signaling a revival of the Syrian art scene after years of war. Syria
Despite promises and hopes, Gaza's cinemas remain closed The Red Carpet Human Rights Film Festival in Gaza City aims to revive closed film theaters, but there is little progress on the ground. Palestine
Israeli singers form bridge to Arab countries Israeli Middle Eastern music is popular in various parts of the Arab world, where it forms a bridge through a common musical heritage. Kuwait
Artist imagines Palestine through conquest imagery, female form An exhibition by the artist Vera Tamari approaches Palestine through military helmets, the female form and landscapes. Palestine
Meet the actor who won Turkey's first Emmy Award for best performance Haluk Bilginer, a veteran actor whose roles range from King Lear to drifters, received an Emmy Award for best acting performance. Turkey
Why this TV series causes high drama between Cairo, Ankara After a decade of Ottoman splendors shown in popular Turkish soap operas, "Kingdoms of Fire" casts Selim, the Grim as the villain. Saudi Arabia
Joker jumps from screen to streets of global revolutions Joker masks — just like V for Vendetta masks 10 years ago — have become common in demonstrations from Lebanon to Iraq, as protesters search for symbols with which they can strike a blow against those in power. Lebanon
Archaeology's Trojan War: The artist who took on Schliemann Osman Hamdi, a 19th-century Ottoman painter whose works sold at record prices earlier this year, also saved artifacts from being smuggled out of Turkey by foreign archaeologists. Turkey
Iranian film on US porn star causes stir at home "Xsunami: Memories of a Porn Star," produced by hard-line filmmakers, aims to expose "sexual decadence" in the United States but has yet to get screening permission from Iran's Ministry of Culture. Iran
Lebanese photographers put protests under camera lens An exhibition held at the center of the protests in Beirut has introduced photography to the streets and has challenged artists to adapt to the revolutionary moment. Lebanon
Iran's hard-liners force controversial film off screen A controversial movie about an honor killing has been removed from Iranian theaters after pressure from infuriated hard-liners. Iran
Israel's Oscars pick explores mind of Rabin's assassin Nearly a quarter century after Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was felled by an assassin’s bullet, a new film exploring his killer’s motives is generating controversy, and garnering acclaim, in Israel. Israel
Art, urban planning rejuvenates Central Anatolian city Eskisehir combines restored Ottoman-era homes with new and hip museums, bars and galleries, attracting people from all over Turkey. Turkey
