From acting to directing, Ziad Bakri has worn many hats in the Palestinian entertainment industry since launching his career in 1980. Our roundup spotlights the movies and TV shows that showcase this versatile artist's work.
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Films
1. The Weekend Away
Miles away from home. Where do you turn? Who can you trust?
In "The Weekend Away, " a group of friends embark on a much-anticipated girls' trip to the beautiful and bustling city of Croatia. What starts as an exciting adventure takes a dark turn when one of the girls mysteriously disappears. Left alone and miles away from home, Beth, our protagonist, must uncover the truth behind her friend's vanishing act, all while grappling with the shocking revelations and twisted realities that hide in plain sight. As the weekend away quickly turns into a nightmare, Beth must figure out who to trust and how to deal with the dangerous lies she stumbles upon. Will she unravel the mystery, or will her friendship falter forever?
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IMDb Rating: 5.7
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TMDb Rating: 6.03
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Metacritic Rating: 51.0
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Release Date: 2022-03-03
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Runtime: 90.0 minutes
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Original Language: en
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Origin Country: ["GB"]
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Status: Released
2. Miral
Is this the face of a terrorist?
Mirroring the reality of the struggle, Miral was introduced in 2010. The film brilliantly narrates the tale of a Palestinian girl, who is an orphan, navigating life post the first Arab-Israeli war. As the chaos unfolds, she is entangled in the continuation of the feud, bearing the face of a "terrorist." This compelling film delivers a sincere portrayal of the intricacies of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict from the viewpoint of an innocent child.
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IMDb Rating: 6.2
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TMDb Rating: 5.8
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Metacritic Rating: 45.0
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Release Date: 2010-09-15
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Runtime: 112.0 minutes
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Original Language: en
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Origin Country: ["US"]
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Box Office Revenue: $852,336.0
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Status: Released
3. Amira
Get ready for an emotionally charged journey with "Amira, " a movie that explores the life of a 17-year-old Palestinian girl who was conceived with her imprisoned father's smuggled sperm. With a strong bond to her father, Amira's world is shaken when a failed attempt to conceive another child reveals Nawar's infertility. As she faces the pain of her father's absence and struggles with the implications of his infidelity, Amira discovers the strength within her to challenge societal norms and uncover the unspoken truths around her.
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IMDb Rating: 3.9
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TMDb Rating: 6.3
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Release Date: 2021-10-19
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Runtime: 98.0 minutes
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Original Language: ar
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Origin Country: ["EG"]
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Status: Released
4. Blind Sun
In the scorching heat of Greece, a seaside resort faces a deadly mix of drought and violence. Ashraf, a solitary immigrant tasked with caring for a villa, finds himself caught in a tense identity check by a suspicious police officer. Can he survive the escalating chaos and uncover the true secrets lurking beneath the sweltering sun?
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IMDb Rating: 5.3
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TMDb Rating: 4.9
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Release Date: 2016-04-20
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Runtime: 88.0 minutes
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Original Language: fr
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Origin Country: ["FR", "GR"]
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Status: Released
5. Profeti
In PROPHETS, Sara, an independent Italian journalist kidnapped by ISIS in Syria, finds herself held captive by Nur, a young foreign fighter. As Nur attempts to convert Sara through proselytization, the two women confront each other in a training camp building. The strict orders of the camp's leader further complicate their encounter, turning this hostage situation into a tense examination of faith, free will, and human resilience.
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IMDb Rating: 5.4
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TMDb Rating: 5.45
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Release Date: 2023-01-26
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Runtime: 106.0 minutes
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Original Language: it
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Origin Country: ["IT"]
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Status: Released
6. Personal Affairs
In Nazareth, an elderly couple follows the familiar pattern of daily life, while their son Tarek in Ramallah resists settling down. Their daughter prepares for motherhood as her husband secures a film role, and their grandmother starts to forget important things. The movie weaves together stories of love, loss, and change as these individuals navigate the complexities of Middle Eastern life, balancing personal desires with the demands of family and society.
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IMDb Rating: 6.5
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TMDb Rating: 4.9
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Release Date: 2017-03-01
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Runtime: 90.0 minutes
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Original Language: he
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Origin Country: ["IL"]
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Status: Released
7. Self Made
Immerse yourself in the riveting tale of "Self Made, " a 2014 film that redefines boundaries. Set against the backdrop of two warring nations, this thought-provoking drama follows the journeys of two women - an Israeli and a Palestinian - who mistakenly cross into each other's worlds. As they live the lives of the other, they embark on a transformative journey that transcends conflict and forges an unexpected connection.
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IMDb Rating: 6.0
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TMDb Rating: 5.0
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Release Date: 2014-06-16
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Runtime: 89.0 minutes
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Original Language: he
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Origin Country: ["IL"]
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Status: Released
8. The Translator
Experience the gripping journey of "The Translator, " a thought-provoking film about a Syrian exile who finds himself confronting a harrowing past. He is compelled to return to his war-torn homeland when his brother is unjustly imprisoned by the Assad regime in 2011. Witness the powerful tale of survival, family, and the unwavering resilience of the human spirit.
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IMDb Rating: 5.7
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TMDb Rating: 5.8
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Release Date: 2021-10-13
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Runtime: 105.0 minutes
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Original Language: ar
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Origin Country: ["BE", "QA", "US", "FR", "SY", "CH"]
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Status: Released
9. Screwdriver
When Ziad returns to Palestine after 15 years in prison, he's expected to be a hero—but adjusting to modern life proves harder than anyone imagined. As reality blurs with hallucination, he finds himself re-living the events that led to his incarceration. "Screwdriver" explores a young man's struggle to find his place in a world that won't stop changing.
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IMDb Rating: 6.7
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TMDb Rating: 6.8
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Release Date: 2018-09-05
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Runtime: 108.0 minutes
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Original Language: ar
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Origin Country: ["PS"]
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Status: Released
10. Bonboné
Delve into a heartwarming tale of resilience and hope with "Bonboné. " Set against the backdrop of restricted visitation laws in an Israeli jail, a Palestinian couple is left with no choice but to explore an unconventional method to conceive. This short but powerful film explores the depths of love and the lengths we'd go for family.
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TMDb Rating: 4.2
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Release Date: 2018-03-15
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Runtime: 15.0 minutes
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Original Language: ar
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Origin Country: ["SA"]
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Status: Released
11. Zion and His Brother
Zion and His Brother delves into the complexities of sibling relationships, as 14-year-old Zion grapples with the aftermath of a tragic accident involving his older brother, Meir. The film chronicles the brothers' struggle to manage the secret that binds them, leading to a haunting journey of self-discovery and ultimately, Zion's determination to take charge of his own life.
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IMDb Rating: 6.0
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TMDb Rating: 5.0
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Release Date: 2009-01-17
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Runtime: 77.0 minutes
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Original Language: he
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Origin Country: ["IL"]
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Status: Released
12. Ganapath
A Hero Is Born
Join forces with Ganapath, an unrelenting guardian in a bleak future, as he seizes the reins to dismantle a chilling criminal empire. Fasten your seatbelts for an exhilarating and emotional ride, as Ganapath emerges as a beacon of hope for the subjugated, charting a course for a gripping and harrowing tale.
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IMDb Rating: 3.3
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TMDb Rating: 3.0
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Release Date: 2023-10-20
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Runtime: 133.0 minutes
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Original Language: hi
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Origin Country: ["IN"]
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Budget: $22,000,000.0
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Box Office Revenue: $1,700,000.0
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Status: Released
13. Water
Indeed, the captivating movie "Water" is a remarkable collaboration between ten gifted Israeli and Palestinian directors as they embark on an intriguing journey to create evocative short films, encompassing both fiction and documentary genres, all inspired by the mesmerizing power of water. As this innovative project delves into the essence of water through various lenses, it offers viewers a thought-provoking cinematic experience that will undoubtedly inspire them.
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IMDb Rating: 7.3
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TMDb Rating: 4.0
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Release Date: 2012-01-01
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Runtime: 120.0 minutes
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Original Language: en
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Origin Country: ["US"]
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Status: Released
14. Give Up the Ghost
Step into the world of "Give Up the Ghost, " a heartfelt short film that follows Salam's dream of motherhood. When she discovers the crushing truth that she can't conceive a child with her husband, her pursuit of happiness is challenged. This poignant drama explores the depths of human connection, grief, and resilience in the face of adversity.
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TMDb Rating: 5.0
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Release Date: 2019-08-29
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Runtime: 15.0 minutes
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Original Language: ar
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Origin Country: []
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Status: Released
15. Mare Nostrum
In a Syrian family living by the Mediterranean, a father's desperate attempt to secure a better life for his daughter sets them on a dangerous journey. As borders close and hope diminishes, their simple request for recognition becomes a battle for survival.
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TMDb Rating: 1.0
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Release Date: 2016-10-26
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Runtime: 13.0 minutes
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Original Language: ar
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Origin Country: ["SA"]
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Status: Released
16. Tala'Vision
In a war-torn reality, an 8-year-old named Tala discovers a forbidden television that gives her brief moments of escape. The secret TV becomes her window to another world, but their discovery leads to a dangerous game of cat and mouse between those who want to protect her innocence and those who wish to keep her vision hidden.
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TMDb Rating: 1.0
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Release Date: 2021-01-18
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Runtime: 27.0 minutes
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Original Language: ar
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Origin Country: ["SA"]
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Status: Released
17. The Barbarians
In the small Breton village of Les Barbares, the locals expect a family of Ukrainian refugees but are surprised by the warm and refined Fayad family from Syria. As the village embraces them, lines begin to blur between who the barbarians truly are. Get ready for a heartwarming tale of cultural misunderstandings and unexpected friendships in this post-production film.
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Release Date: 2024-09-18
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Original Language: fr
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Origin Country: ["FR"]
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Status: Post Production
18. The Sand Castle
A family of four finds themselves stranded on an idyllic island that hides a dark secret. As they navigate their daily lives, strange occurrences hint at something sinister lurking beneath the island's picturesque surface.
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Original Language: ar
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Origin Country: ["LB"]
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Status: In Production
19. Sense of Morning
Discover the captivating world of "Sense of Morning" as it dives into the life of a man living in 1982 Beirut. Amidst the chaos, bombs falling, and fear in the air, he finds solace in the simple smell of coffee. This powerfully poignant short film offers a unique perspective on life in wartorn times, blending the sensory with the emotional. Don't miss out on this beautifully crafted 8-minute window into a world that's seldom seen.
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Release Date: 2010-09-04
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Runtime: 8.0 minutes
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Original Language: en
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Origin Country: ["US"]
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Status: Released
20. The Strangers' Case
In "The Strangers' Case, " Shakespeare's timeless tale of Sir Thomas More's defense of refugees meets contemporary Aleppo. Amira, a dedicated surgeon, performs a life-saving operation amidst the Syrian civil war. This gripping story entwines the lives of five families from four continents, showcasing the impact of migration throughout history. With Shakespeare's words echoing through time, this cinematic marvel serves as a poignant reminder of the global interconnectedness and shared human struggles.
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IMDb Rating: 8.2
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Release Date: 2024-02-23
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Runtime: 97.0 minutes
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Original Language: ar
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Origin Country: ["JO"]
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Status: Released
21. Arnoos
In Amman's bustling shopping square, two 15-year-old boys have very different lives - Sami, a privileged teenager, and Mahmoud, a street-smart corn seller. Their worlds collide when they separately hatch plans to win Sami's girlfriend's approval with unexpected gifts, setting off a series of misadventures and unexpected twists.
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Release Date: 2021-10-01
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Runtime: 17.0 minutes
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Original Language: ar
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Origin Country: ["JO"]
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Status: Released
22. Mar Mama
In an Israeli city, a young girl's mother dies, and Israeli forces attack regularly. Haunted by these events, she becomes deeply obsessed with death. Her father tries to distract her with a stop-motion film, but this only helps her escape deeper into her imagination.
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Release Date: 2023-12-18
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Runtime: 15.0 minutes
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Original Language: en
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Origin Country: ["US"]
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Status: Released
23. Screwdriver
"Screwdriver" is a 2018 Palestinian drama that explores contemporary life in the Palestinian territories. It's the feature film debut of director Mohammed Heneify and marks an important milestone in Palestinian cinema. The movie premiered in April 2018, bringing fresh storytelling to the international screen.
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Release Date: 2018-04-14
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Original Language: ar
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Origin Country: ["PS"]
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Status: Released
TV Shows
1. The Bureau
In "The Bureau, " an elite department within the French intelligence services, the Office Of Legends, forms. Remote pilots guide these agents on a mission to identify potential sources of information, leading them to live in complete fabricated identities for years in hostile countries. As our hero returns from a six-year clandestine mission in Syria, he refuses to abandon his legend, putting the entire system at risk. This espionage thriller, complete with intrigue, deception, and danger, offers a deep dive into the world of French intelligence.
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Original Name: Le Bureau des légendes
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TMDb Rating: 8.141
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Languages: ["fr"]
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Episode Runtime: [55]
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Status: Ended
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Origin Country: ["FR"]
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Original Language: fr
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Type: Scripted
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First Air Date: 2015-04-27
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Last Air Date: 2020-05-04
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Number of Seasons: 5
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Number of Episodes: 50
