Being a director, winning the Angénieux Encouragement Award at Cannes, navigating the film industry, and differences between working on ads, TV and cinema: award-winning Egyptian director Haya Khairat gives us an insider view on life behind the camera. In conversation with Mikey, Haya shares her experiences grappling with cynicism, being a women director, and keeping her passion for cinema alive. She also lists her key dos and don’ts for aspiring directors and recommends her top 5 films and film...
Jul 24, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 354
What was it like curating the 1st Diriyah Islamic Arts Biennale? And how do you capture the essence of a place that is in the hearts and minds of Muslims around the world? Sumayya Vally talks to us about her personal relationship with Saudi Arabia, suspended geographies, adding to the Islamic Art canon, and reimagining Jeddah’s Western Hajj Terminal as an exhibition space. She talks us through it from the very conceptualization of the Diriyah Islamic Arts Biennale in Saudi Arabia to individual p...
Jul 19, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 353
Dearborn, capturing the diverse voices of Dearborn’s residents, and doing justice to the myriad Arab-American lived experiences post 9/11. We discuss the complexities of faithfully depicting a multi-layered community through short-stories, the history of Arab-American immigration, and more with author and assistant professor of creative writing at Oberlin College Ghassan Zeinnedine. We also explore the Arab-American experience in the post-9/11 era, looking at what anxieties and tensions are stil...
Jul 17, 2023•58 min•Ep. 352
In this episode of Matbakh, we’re joined by Viven Sansour, founder of the Palestine Heirloom Seed Library. This was a really compelling conversation about the politics of environmentalism, her work through the Palestine Heirloom Seed Library, and the link between anxiety and agriculture. We spoke about the importance of indigenous wisdom in farming, changing landscapes in the Middle East, and Vivien’s work in preserving bio-cultural heritage. Vivien Sansour is an artist, storyteller, food histor...
Jul 12, 2023•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 351
What does it mean to work across textile and digital mediums? Nour Hage, award-winning British-Lebanese designer and artist, delves into her practice, exploring themes of West-Asian Identities, NFTs and Web3. We discuss traversing the physical and digital realms and why she chooses digital art for her personal exploration. We also explore the meaning of the evil eye and misunderstanding/seeking to understand our grandparents as people. Nour Hage is an award winning British-Lebanese designer and ...
Jul 10, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 350
Michelle Keserwany joined us on Movie Night to talk about her and her sister Noel’s short film Les Chenilles. We dive into the 3.5 day filmmaking process, the inspiration behind it and the colonial impact of the silk industry. Michelle also shares her journey into film, why she doesn’t completely consider herself a musician, and her top films of note. And of course, we listen to her and Noel’s viral songs Jagal El Usel and Men3id w Men3id. Michelle Keserwany is a Lebanese singer, musician and sc...
Jul 03, 2023•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 349
Akher Zapheer’s front-man and longest standing member, Basem Sayej, talks to us about Amman as his muse and a misunderstood city, the Arab rock scene, and his favorite places to perform round the world. We listen to three of Akher Zapheer’s songs from across their albums and get an insight into how Basem approaches song-writing. Finally, Basem shares his personal mixtape for the best alternative bands from around the Middle East. Basem Sayej is the frontman, guitarist and vocalist of Akher Zaphe...
Jun 28, 2023•58 min•Ep. 348
In this episode of Matbakh, The VoiceNote Chef tells us about about transforming childhood memories into viral recipes, capturing his mom’s unique voice in voicenote form, and cooking to ease homesick hearts around the world. We discover how the account took off, how its changed his relationship with his mom, and his favourite videos to date. We also discuss the importance of authenticity, the various aspects of content creation, and how Kareem stays true to no-frills and simple cooking. Kareem,...
Jun 26, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 347
We’ve all heard of the Arab League, but we wanted to know more about its history, intended purpose and its inner workings. Ambassador Hesham Youssef joined us for a fascinating conversation about foreign-affairs, Arab geopolitics, and to help us better understand this key regional institution. In this episode, we cover the history of the Arab League, its activities and impact, and what Ambassador Youssef predicts for the future of our region. Ambassador Hesham Youssef was a career diplomat, post...
Jun 21, 2023•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 346
In this episode of Quartertones, Thanks Joey takes us on a journey through hip hop, Brooklyn music, and his Syrian grandfather’s old records. We talk about working with Omar Offendum and Narcy, his music making process, and what inspired his Lahme song. He gives us a sneak preview of unreleased tracks, tours us round his sampler, and reflects on infusing his music with his heritage. Thanks Joey is a musician, producer, and engineer, and all-round music aficionado. He specialises in producing uni...
Jun 19, 2023•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 345
In this episode, two-time Pulitzer-prize winning photojournalist, Nariman El-Mofty, sits down with Mikey for a compelling conversation about photojournalism, capturing history and human stories, and the impact of the Orientalist gaze within the news industry. Nariman shares her experiences in producing coverage about HIV in Egypt, Yemen, and the Tigray War. We discover how Nariman came to photojournalism, how she feels to be in front of the camera instead of behind it, and the importance of bein...
Jun 14, 2023•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 344
Award-winning director Philippe Aractingi joined us on set for this special episode of Movie Night. We talked about his journey into filmmaking, why he considers himself a ‘storyteller’, and why he shifts between genres: musical comedies to war films, and most recently into theatre. We also reflect on the notable absence of an ‘Arab Cinema Scene’ or ‘Industry’, the Orientalist gaze in cinema, and the role of film as a form of self-expression and in the search for identity. Finally, Philippe talk...
Jun 12, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 343
Mehmed Ali is dubbed the ‘Father of Modern Egypt’, so who was he? And how did he rise through the ranks from soldier to Pasha? Mikey sits down with Professor Khaled Fahmy to discuss this enigmatic figure that shaped and formed Egypt into the nation-state we know today. In Part 2, Professor Fahmy walks us through Mehmed Ali's rule, death, and legacy. Professor Khaled Fahmy is a historian of the Modern Middle East with an emphasis on the social and cultural history of 19th century Egypt. His parti...
Jun 09, 2023•49 min•Ep. 342
Mehmed Ali is dubbed the ‘Father of Modern Egypt’, so who was he? And how did he rise through the ranks from soldier to Pasha? Mikey sits down with Professor Khaled Fahmy to discuss this enigmatic figure that shaped and formed Egypt into the nation-state we know today. In Part 1, Professor Fahmy walks us through Mehmed Ali's origin story and rise to power. Professor Khaled Fahmy is a historian of the Modern Middle East with an emphasis on the social and cultural history of 19th century Egypt. Hi...
Jun 07, 2023•58 min•Ep. 341
In this episode of the afikra podcast, Professor Kirsten Scheid invites us into the world of Modern Art in Lebanon, and Lebanon through the lens of Modern Art. We explore what art meant in the 1920s, before the establishment of the Lebanese state, how national imaginaries and identities were expressed through art, and the roles of artists during this era. Kirsten Scheid is an associate professor of anthropology in the Department of Sociology, anthropology, and media studies, and an affiliated fa...
Jun 05, 2023•1 hr•Ep. 340
In this episode, Ummayah Cable weaves together themes of art, media activism, politics, and the social aspects of cinema. Together, we explore the power of cinema and film as a mobilizing agent to catalyse wider conversations and societal discourse. We also untangle questions of categorizing films as 'Palestinian', Israel's Pink Washing, and compulsory Zionism. Ummayyah Cable is a Palestinian-American assistant professor of American Culture and Film, Television at the University of Michigan, Ann...
May 31, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 339
In this episode of Book Club, Malika Gharib joins us to share her musings on what it means to be an artist, the symbiotic relationship between journalism and comics, as well as what the 'American Dream' truly means. She reflects on growing up as a first-generation Filipino Egyptian, her changing relationship with her heritage, and how she uses her work as a medium to grapple with questions of identity, family, and lived experience. Malika Ghareeb, is a journalist, cartoonist, and graphic novelis...
May 29, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 338
John Bakhos talks about forming his metal band, Anuryzm, and the progression of its music throughout the years. In this Quartertones episode, John plays three songs: Cosmos, Neo Luddite, and Ruby Demon. John Bakhos is a Lebanese musician, guitarist, and the founder of the progressive metal band Anuryzm. Born in Beirut, Bakhos started playing the guitar at a young age and was heavily influenced by bands such as Dream Theater, Metallica, and Iron Maiden. Created & Hosted by Mikey Muhanna , afi...
May 24, 2023•59 min•Ep. 337
Ramzi Ghosn talks about the profession of wine and arak-making and its significance in the Levant, notably in Lebanon. From Massaya, he discusses the speaks about how Phoenicians valued viticulture and developed the finest wines that continues to be exported to the world. Massaya is a Lebanese winery and arak distillery owned and operated by the Ghosn brothers Sami and Ramzi. The outbreak of the Lebanese Civil War in 1975 forced the family to leave the estate and both Sami and Ramzi Ghosn left L...
May 22, 2023•46 min•Ep. 336
Rana Husseini talks about the history of the feminist movement in Jordan and how it progressed from the 1940s until now. She explains what women in Jordan have achieved so far and the challenges that they still face; notably honor crimes. Rana Husseini is a Jordanian journalist and human rights activist who has dedicated her career to raising awareness about crimes against women in Jordan and the Middle East. Her investigative reporting on honor killings and other forms of violence against women...
May 17, 2023•45 min•Ep. 335
Eli Rezkallah talks about the reality and future of photography industry in the Arab region. He delves into the works of Plastik and tells us how the magazine contributes to the creative industry. Eli Rezkallah is a Lebanese-born photographer and visual artist based in New York City. He is best known for his work in fashion and advertising photography, as well as his creative direction and visual storytelling. Rezkallah studied graphic design at the American University of Beirut and later pursue...
May 15, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 334
Fadi Bou Karam talks about the history of Levantine etymologies and their possible origins. He discusses the influence of the Ottomans on the way certain words are pronounced, notably in Lebanese Arabic. The words include fruits and vegetables, such as artichoke, orange, loquat & more. Fadi Bou Karam is a photographer based in Beirut, Lebanon. He was born and raised in Beirut, and growing up in a war-torn country, photos held a special significance for him as they were often the only remnant...
May 10, 2023•1 hr•Ep. 333
Aida Abbashar talks about the current situation in Sudan. She discusses how the war is affecting citizens and refugees in the country and explains its future implications. Aida is a Research Assistant for the LSE Middle East Centre’s project ‘ Understanding the Barriers and Enablers to Women’s Leadership in Sudan ’ and a PhD candidate at Durham University. Her research focuses on the history of constitution-making in Sudan, where she looks at the role that different actors, policies, and events ...
May 08, 2023•49 min•Ep. 332
Tahir Shah talks about his experiences in the Arab region. He talks about The Caliph's House, a book he has written that is inspired by his trips to Morocco in his childhood; from Marrakesh to the Sahara. Tahir Shah is a best-selling author and filmmaker known for his work in both fiction and non-fiction. He has produced over forty works, including books, documentaries, screenplays, and journalism. Tahir's work is characterized by his unique perspective as an "enthusiast and adventurer," which h...
May 03, 2023•1 hr•Ep. 331
J. E. Peterson talks about his research about the history of the Arab region. In this afikra Conversation, Peterson introduces us to the history of Oman through his books "Historical Muscat," "Oman at War," and "Oman in the Twentieth Century." Dr. J.E. Peterson is a historian and political analyst specializing in the Arabian Peninsula and Gulf. He obtained his Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University and has worked at the Library of Congress and taught at several universities in the US. He has been a...
May 01, 2023•56 min•Ep. 330
George Khoury (JAD) talks about the history of comics in the Arab region. He discusses how visual storytelling has shaped major events in Arab countries and how he has contributed to the field. George Khoury (JAD), Comics critique, Comics Artist and Animator since the 80s. Lecturer at the Lebanese American University in the Graphic Design Department, and Manager of the Animation Department at Future Television since its launch in 1993. His artworks and movies have been featured in many local ins...
Apr 26, 2023•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 329
Mai Al-Nakib talks about her novel "An Unlasting Home" which traces Kuwait's rise from a pearl-diving backwater to its reign as a thriving cosmopolitan city to the aftermath of the Iraqi invasion. Mai Al-Nakib is a Kuwaiti writer and academic. She was born in Kuwait and spent her early years living in London, Edinburgh, and St. Louis, Missouri. She received her PhD in English literature from Brown University and is currently an Associate Professor of English and comparative literature at Kuwait ...
Apr 24, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 328
Karen Barkey talks about her research that stems from her fascination in the empire. She discusses how cultural diversity shaped the Ottoman empire. Karen Barkey’s research has been engaged in the comparative and historical study of the state, with special focus on its transformation over time. Her work has explored state society relations, peasant movements, banditry, and opposition and dissent organized around the state. Her main empirical site has been the Ottoman Empire, in comparison with F...
Apr 19, 2023•58 min•Ep. 327
Blu Fiefer plays three of her songs: Sharaf, Nazele Big Champagne, and Sint El Ew. She talks about her contribution to hip-hop in Lebanon and how she uses storytelling in her music. Blu Fiefer is a Lebanese-Mexican artist, music producer and director, approaching her art as a multi-faceted platform. Today, Fiefer readies her debut album 'Villain Bala Cause' inspired by the traditions of story-telling and testimony captured in hip-hop while paying tribute to Arabic music. The record will come out...
Apr 17, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 326
Fawzi Mesmar talks about the gaming industry in the Arab region. He introduces us to his book which is the first gaming book to be written in the Arabic language. Fawzi explains the challenges in the field, the responsibilities a game designer should have in the region, and pointers to succeed in the gaming industry. Fawzi is an award-winning Creative Director, Game designer, Leader, author, public speaker, mentor and retired e-sports player that has been in the gaming industry for 2 decades in ...
Apr 12, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 325
