Critic's choice: December 12

Driving to Zigzigland

The 9/11 attacks has inspired many filmmakers, some making films about the attacks themselves, while others have focused on the ensuing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

This film chronicles a day in the life of an Arab taxi driver in Los Angeles and portrays the social struggle of Arab immigrants in post-9/11 America.

Being a cabbie gives a chance to listen to passengers' conversations on various issues. The cab driver comes to the attention of the FBI on charges of belonging to Al Qaida. Directed by Nicole Ballivian and starring Bashar Da'as and Simon Anglo.
Showing at 18.00 at Cinestar 1, Mall of the Emirates.

Reel Bad Arabs

Director Jack Shaheen based his film on his book of the same name. It dissects a slanderous history dating from cinema's earliest days to contemporary Hollywood blockbusters that feature machine-gun wielding and bomb-blowing "evil" Arabs.

Shaheen documents the tendency to portray Arabs as public enemy, brutal, heartless, uncivilised and unworthy.

Shaheen examines how and why such a stereotype has grown and spread in the film industry and what may be done to change Hollywood's defamation of Arabs.

Showing at 18.45, Cinestar 11, Mall of the Emirates.

My Country, My Country

Directed by Laura Poitras, this film is an unforgettable journey into the heart of war-ravaged Iraq.
Poitras creates an extraordinary intimate portrait of Iraqis frustrated by the ongoing war.

Her key character is Dr Riyadh, an Iraqi physician, who believes in the unity of his country but sees only chaos and violence engulfing it and tearing it apart.

Like other Iraqis, Dr Riyadh feels extremely frustrated and sees Iraq's future through pessimistic eyes.
Showing at 18.30, Cinestar 8, Mall of the Emirates.