A series of ten one-hour documentaries which explores Arab history, culture and society from within through the lives and opinions of Arabs today.

Its main focus is on the plight of the Palestinians which can be seen as the most enduring residue of the modern encounter between the Arabs and the West. Edward Said traces the course of European involvement with the Near East via the Crusades to Napoleon's campaign in Egypt and the French and English entrepreneurs, adventurers and empire builders who came in his wake.

In this adaptation of his paradigm-shifting book, Edward Said examines the origins and evolution of Western attitudes towards the Middle East. Said shows how perceptions of the Middle East as an exotic land full of villains and terrorists are deeply rooted in the Western imagination, and argues that this caricatured cultural heritage continues to blind too many Europeans and Americans to the complexity and diversity of the region.

"That's the power of the discourse of Orientalism. If you're thinking about people and Islam, and about that part of the wold, those are the words you constantly have to use. To think past it, to go beyond it, not to use it, is virtually impossible, because there is no knowledge that isn't codified in this way about that part of the world." - Edward Said

A must see, this documentary (not be confused with the much longer and comprehensive 2004 biopic) brings us Saïd's last days, prior to his untimely death in 2003.
In a twist of fate, a French crew armed with a Betamax recorder spent time with him and his family at the end of his life, offering us an exceptionally intimate look at his (literally) final views and reflections on the themes which dominated his life's work.
Based on the ratings and number of votes I saw on this site for the 2004 documentary, I think many users voted for that film, though meaning to judge and actually having seen this one, which continues to have more exposure in the Americas, in the Third World, and most importantly politics aside (as much as that's possible). Both films deserve the excellent rating they boast. Your rating really depends on your interest and attention span.
However, this film, at a captivating 54 minutes and with its unique timing has a touch of reality and conciseness that the other one lacks, by mere timeliness and authenticity. This film directed by Emmanuel Hamon has also enjoyed the personal and forceful promotion by him himself, the director, and by the Institute of Arab Culture, throughout Brazil, at least, where I have now accompanied its showing at, two or three more festivals here in less than 9 months.
And, NOT just at another Arab Film Festival, or a usual semi annual showing of national performing arts, but a full fledge Mediterranean Festival of dance, music, theater, literature, gastronomy, fashion, children's activities, etc. at over 60 cities and towns in Southeastern Brazil alone.
The Israeli Festival, coincidentally, also with excellent films, in much richer if not opulent venues, with Rubin Mehta and Israel Orchestra's, just as a by-the-way factoid, just ended days ago. It was however mostly funded by Jewish and Israeli group, while this one is funded primarily by the Business and Educational Council. The timing was not planned to compete with each other.
The various "Mediterranean" groups were on tour throughout the area just now. The "Jewish week" is always around this time, and wa1s planned for months.
Yes, Sao Paulo (city) alone is a metropolis of 20 million alone - the state has 40 million, with one of the heaviest and maybe the best succeeded Arab & Syriain-Lebanese immigrant communities anywhere in the world. But, it's almost totally Christian. In fact (though not totally open said), the Arab community here is more in tune with mainstream Israeli politics, than the Orthodox Jews we have here, since they are Arabs, but Christians, and very Orthodox at that, in the best known cases.
The Syria, Palestine and Lebanon left behind, and still revered here as the "old land" no longer exists, as these Arab-Brazilians came here to avoid Turkish Ottoman (Muslim) persecution, which ultimately prevailed.
But, not insisting so much on local ethnicities and returning to this film, I mist say that in few if any places in the world, can a film like this and others in the Films Section be seen and judged as an Arab film, and not as Muslim culture vs. the Judeo-Christian world Work.
And this is truly a film of universal understanding, with national and religious prejudices taking a back seat here. Don't miss it.

1999年，著名的东方学学者萨伊德和指挥大师巴伦伯伊姆共同创立了《东西合集交响乐团》，来自以色列和阿拉伯世界的年轻音乐家联袂演出贝多芬作品，来自当今世界热点地区的冲突双方首次在音乐中和谐交流。该团成功首演后，一直活跃于世界各地，给悲观的人们带来一丝希望。
该片跟随乐团在以色列和阿拉伯地区巡演的过程，展现了来自敌对地区的音乐学子们的内心世界和音乐才能，并和乐团的灵魂人物——指挥大师巴伦伯伊姆有深入的交流。
德国著名音乐纪录片导演Paul Smaczny在2006年完成了这部广受关注的影片，当年获得了艾美奖最佳纪录片。
该片在2009年5月9日首映于上海新天地国际影城，参加上海之春国际音乐节“用眼倾听——古典音乐纪录片展映”活动，导演本人亲临现场。