If you’re looking for a place to watch Arabic films and TV shows on demand, look no further than Istikana. Whether you’re a fan of documentaries, short films, or classics, this subscription video on demand service has something for you. Arabic films and TV shows are often hard to find, but Istikana is available for web, mobile devices, Chromecast, and Smart TVs.
In the Bosom of a Thorn
If you’re a fan of Arabic dramas and want to watch a film in the native tongue, you’ll be delighted to know that “In the Bosom of a Thorn” is currently available on Netflix in Canada. The film follows a young woman who, years after being abducted from her mother during the invasion of Kuwait, searches for her daughter. The drama is directed by Hamad Al Badri and produced by Kunooz Al Khaleej. The cast includes Elham Fadala, Ibrahim Al Harbi, Laila Abdullah, and Abeer Ahmed.
If you’re interested in watching Arabic movies online, you’ll be glad to know that the streaming service is bringing four new series to its streaming platform. These series will come in parallel with regional Arabic television networks, meaning that you can watch them ad-free and without commercials. While many Arabic films are available on Netflix worldwide, a few are available exclusively on the streaming service.
West Beirut
If you want to watch a film in Arabic, you should watch West Beirut. This drama is set in Beirut during the civil war and follows a teenage boy named Tarek as he crosses the hostile Muslim-Christian divides. This film is often cited as one of the most important “coming of age” movies in Arab cinema. It has won a number of awards, including Best Film at the Carthage Film Festival in 1998.
This dramatic film is based on the true story of a Lebanese man who goes to Lebanon in search of his family. It follows the life of a man on the run after a violent incident. Directed by Georges Hachem, this film starred Faisal Al Omairi, Jafra Younes, and Samr Ismaiel. The film was selected as Lebanon’s entry for the Best Foreign Language Oscars.
Takki
Netflix is planning to release its first Arabic-language unscripted series in November 2021. In the meantime, the streaming giant has renewed the popular Saudi Arabian series Takki for a third season. Takki, which means “relax,” follows a young aspiring filmmaker in Jeddah as he grapples with family expectations, romance, and rivalry. While there are a few differences between Takki and its English-language counterparts, the show’s quality is unquestionable.
While many of us have watched and enjoyed other TV shows from Arab countries, Takki is perhaps the most popular. It was originally a YouTube series and has garnered a large following among the younger generation. It’s progressive approach and relatable premises made it one of the most popular YouTube series in the Middle East. Here’s a look at Takki’s three seasons. Takki is produced by UTURN Entertainment, the same company that produced and distributes the popular TV show The Good Place and The Big Bang Theory.
Amouddou
The term “Amouddou” in Arabic means “voyage” and is often paired with the word kharif, meaning travel. In this Arabic-language documentary series produced by Moroccan television channel Al Aoula, Hassan Boufous, a director, editor, and cameraman, takes viewers inside Morocco, showcasing the beauty and wonder of the country. His narration uses modern standard Arabic and is an excellent learning tool for Arabic language learners.
“Amouddou” is a character from a recent movie that has garnered a lot of praise. The film is an adaptation of an Italian film that was released in 2016. The cast is predominantly Arab, and the movie stars an Egyptian actor and a renowned director. Despite being a remake of an Italian film, “Amouddou” is nevertheless a compelling, inspiring, and multilingual film.
Grand Hotel
If you’ve been looking for something new to watch in the evenings, then you’ve probably heard of the Netflix original drama series Grand Hotel. The series, which premiered in Ramadan 2016, follows a young man, Ali, who searches for his missing sister. In the process of finding her, Ali takes a job as a waiter in the grand hotel. As his journey continues, he discovers the world of hotel patrons and the elusive love that lies within the hotel’s walls.
In the 1950s, Ali arrives in Aswan with a mission: to find his missing sister. As a waiter at the Grand Hotel, he meets Nazly, the daughter of the hotel’s owner. Together, Ali and Nazly uncover the truth about his sister’s disappearance. During the search for his sister, Ali and Nazly become embroiled in the secrets of the Grand Hotel.