News is finally out. Ladies and gentlemen, the very first Egyptian film in @Criterion. And for the first time, the restored version of Cairo as Seen by Chahine. Honoured to have two video interviews on the disc, along with the accompanying essay.

RT @FerideMercury: There’s a very thorough security check this morning on the Lido, which happens to be the one that has the press screenin….

Ozu is not just my favourite filmmaker, he's the reason why I still love and believe in cinema as an art form. As expected, this was exceedingly emotional and moving. And it left me fucking sobbing! . One of the very best films I've seen in #Venice82 .

Had a lot of fun discussing #VeniceFilmFestival films - Del Toro's Frankenstein, Jihan K's My Father and Qaddafi, and Shahd Amin's Hijra - with @devikagirgayi and @FerideMercury for the @FilmComment podcast. Thank you for the invite! .

'No Other Choice' is Park Chan-wook's 'Parasite': a stylistically entrancing anti-cacapitalist parable peppered with deliciously macabre set-pieces. His funniest, most political picture to day. Total riot. #VeniceFilmFestival #Venezia82 .

RT @DEADLINE: Director Yorgos Lanthimos wears a Palestinian flag pin at the #Bugonia press conference at the Venice Film Festival #Venezia8….

Bold, courageous, and important speech on film, our moral obligations as artists, and Palestine by the @giornate head @GaiaFurrer. "Cinema is never neutral.". Thank you, hats off, and respect.

Ambivalent about Sorrentino’s spiritless ‘La grazia’, a film whose parts are certainly better than its sum. Its commentary on the Italy’s political elite is too sleight and strangely reverent to amount for anything topical. Left with a shrug, #Venice82 .

RT @selfstyledsiren: @joseph_fahim Also, what's with the "views in line with many of yours" and gesturing to the journalists there, who cou….

Your taxpayer’s money is funding this war. As a voting citizen, you should have a position. #VeniceFilmFestival.

RT @IndieWire: Venice Jury Prez Alexander Payne Avoids Making Statement on Festival’s Reaction to War in Gaza

RT @Screendaily: Venice Competition jury president Alexander Payne on the festival's response to the siege in Gaza:. "I'm sure my political….

RT @Screendaily: Venice Film Festival director Alberto Barbera addresses calls from the Venice4Palestine group to remove invitations to Gal….

RT @Screendaily: Mother director Teona Strugar Mitevska says Mother Teresa would be helping in Gaza were she alive today. "She would be th….

Hello Venice. #VeniceFilmFestival #Venice4Palestine

Thrilled to announce 'Cinema, Etcetera', a new monthly column with @albustanseeds. Expect more coverage of Middle Eastern and Middle Eastern-related cinema in relation to the American cultural landscape. Stayed tuned for my first entry next month.

RT @selfstyledsiren: I spent many happy working hours this summer preparing for an interview about the life and art of Jean Harlow, who I'v….

RT @joseph_fahim: My @Criterion essay on 'Cairo Station,' in which I explore Chahine's aesthetics and politics, the aborted promises of the….

Who also is very chummy with the Israeli ambassador.

Why is the German culture community so silent on the new disastrous Minister of Culture? .

My @Criterion essay on 'Cairo Station,' in which I explore Chahine's aesthetics and politics, the aborted promises of the 1952 revolution, and a city that has become a shadow of its former self. A big thank you to my wonderful editor Liz Helfgott.