A Silent Cinema – Highlights of Syrian Cinema

Syrian cinema is fairly unknown, both in Germany and in the Arab world. With an average production of just two films a year, Syria doesn't come close to the mass production in Egypt, the best-known Arab cinema country. Syrian cinema is characterized by its distinct auteur orientation. Moreover, it is astoundingly critical and political. In view of the authoritarian character of the Syrian state, this may come as a surprise, yet the reason for this lies in the peculiarity of Syrian cinematic language. Similar to Iran, an idiosyncratic, strongly symbolic visual language rich in metaphors has evolved in Syria, as well, through which it is possible to criticize the regime.