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Middle East

VIFF picks: Fun with the Italian Mafia, tension with Ben the addict and what’s with this piece by Banksy?

Also some rule-breaking flamenco and two war stories from the Balkans, one by a Vancouverite.

More VIFF recommendations: a Haida tale, sailing with refugees and a cheeky Bible story

Also an edifying rural tale by a master Iranian filmmaker

Seven films to see in VIFF's first few days

Viewers can check out six good documentaries and one shocking holiday tale.

Mom of four kids allegedly abducted overseas wants to see progress in case

A Canada-wide warrant for father Saren Azer (a.k.a Salahaddin Mahmudi-Azer) was issued on Aug. 24 for abduction - but he has flown the coop with children in tow.

American Sniper and Stephen Harper make war with words

War hawks and their simplistic "us vs. them" mentality don't make us safer— they put all of us at risk

United Arab Emirates forces women to breastfeed and America freaks out

United Arab Emirates forces women to breastfeed and America freaks out, but should we follow suit instead?

The Egyptian revolution: activist Nadeem Abdel-Gawad reflects on Egypt today

Last year, Nadeem Abdel-Gawad was preparing to graduate from the American University in Cairo. He was also about to return to Tahrir Square for the first anniversary of Egypt’s revolution. “Either we...

Sheikhs of chic: Dubai dudes do fashion

Pakistani author Bina Shah writes to VO of her travels to the UAE and her experience with Gulfi men's fashion.

Tahrir Square: the making of an Egyptian revolutionist

Nadeem Abdel-Gawad hopes to attend his college graduation in Cairo next month. But that depends on what happens in Tahrir Square this week.

'They had weapons pointed at our heads,' recalls secret Gaza flotilla activist

Three days on the high seas. Three days in Israeli detention. A Vancouver woman tells her story of a bold attempt to change Israeli government policy.