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© 2026 The Couch Critic
Browse 45 movies from Al Jazeera
Jabir, Usama and Uzeir are three young brothers in a Sunni family of shepherds. Since childhood, their father Ibrahim has rigidly trained them in the principles of the Quran and has filled their minds with stories of the Bosnian War.
Apr 2022
While much of the world struggles to keep the planet going, a frighteningly large group of American fundamentalist Christians are working to promote the apocalypse. The evangelical movement is convinced that they will be saved when Jesus appears in the state of Israel on horseback and, with a sword raised to heaven, kills the infidels so that the blood reaches the horses’ bridles. Natural fires, corona, wars and crises are evidence that the time is nigh. But for the prophecies to be realized, the state of Israel has to grow stronger, so they provide huge financial support and are so far inside the White House that they help influence US foreign policy.
Mar 2023
As going through an economic vortex, Greece is experiencing condition in post-war history. Homeless people, unemployment, poverty, violent conflicts and the rise of the extreme-right are found all over the county. Is there any possible way to break through the crisis? This film follows development of the crisis and its impact on people’s lives, as well as rise of fascism, while seeking answers from interested parties.
Jan 2015
The film "Searching for Freedom: The Holy Land Foundation" is a two part documentary focussing on the story of the Holy Land Foundation, established in the late 80s by three Americans from Palestinian origin, Shukri Abu Baker, Ghassan Elashi and Mohammad El-Mezain. The foundation aimed to supply humanitarian aid to the Palestinians in Palestine and countries hosting Palestinian refugees, it later became the largest charity association in the US to distribute humanitarian aid to Palestinians. After 9/11, the former US President George W. Bush issued a decision to shut down the Holy Land Foundation and freeze its assets. In 2007 the Holy Land Foundation trials began, where five of its members were charged with funding terrorism and sending money to Hamas, a blacklisted political group in the US. A second trial for the Holy Land Foundation members took place in 2008, which issued the convictions of five members of the Foundation and their sentencing of 65 years imprisonment.
May 2016
This feature length investigation by Al Jazeera’s Investigative Unit exposes Israeli war crimes in the Gaza Strip through the medium of photos and videos posted online by Israeli soldiers themselves during the year long conflict. The I-Unit has built up a database of thousands of videos, photos and social media posts. Where possible it has identified the posters and those who appear. The material reveals a range of illegal activities, from wanton destruction and looting to the demolition of entire neighbourhoods and murder. The film also tells the story of the war through the eyes of Palestinian journalists, human rights workers and ordinary residents of the Gaza Strip. And it exposes the complicity of Western governments – in particular the use of RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus as a base for British surveillance flights over Gaza.
Oct 2024
A Forever War is a powerful investigation into the war on Gaza, challenging Israel’s response to the Hamas-led attacks in October 2023. Global condemnation of Israel’s war on Gaza recently echoed around the United Nations, where many states continued to label it “genocide”. Yet Israel has largely ignored international opinion, even pressure from the United States. With a ceasefire now on the table just days before the second anniversary of the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, this film examines what Australian journalist John Lyons calls “one of the most brutal wars of modern times”. Lyons confronts Israeli political, military and intelligence figures on their motives and asks whether there was no alternative to killing more than 66,000 Palestinians, including over 20,000 children. A current cabinet member, a former foreign minister, and ex-Prime Minister Ehud Barak argue Israel’s actions are self-defence.
Mar 2024
An in-depth look at the work and views of the man described as 'one of the greatest minds in human history'. He first emerged through his pioneering work in linguistics in the 1950s but later became a political activist and a critic of US foreign policy in Vietnam, its neo-liberal capitalism, and mainstream media. Consisting primarily of interviews with Chomsky and other writers, academics, philosophers, social commentators and broadcasters, this film explores the breadth, originality and importance of his work; and the alternative narratives he has advanced at some of the most critical periods in recent history.
Oct 2015
When the Israeli army invades the Gaza Strip in 2023, Rania is eight months pregnant. She gives birth to triplets just as her hometown in northern Gaza is bombed. One girl dies at birth, while the other two babies, Jowan and her brother Hamoud, are so weak that they have to be placed in an incubator. When the hospital is evacuated, the twins are moved to southern Gaza, where Rania’s sister Nisreen takes over their care. A travel ban prevents the babies from returning to their mother.
Nov 2025
Halime doesn't identify with the traditional image of women in her patriarchal Turkish village community. There's more to life than looking after the house and children, she believes. So she decides to organize a shooting competition for women. But this idea isn't universally welcomed by the men in the village and, as heads of the household, their permission is needed.
With a ceasefire now on the table just days before the second anniversary of the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, this film examines what Australian journalist John Lyons calls “one of the most brutal wars of modern times”. Lyons confronts Israeli political, military and intelligence figures on their motives and asks whether there was no alternative to killing more than 66,000 Palestinians, including over 20,000 children. A current cabinet member, a former foreign minister, and ex-Prime Minister Ehud Barak argue Israel’s actions are self-defence.
Oct 2025
Palestinian filmmaker Mohamed Jabalay is on a month long work trip to Norway when the Egypt/Gaza border closes and he is unable to return home. He details his seven year fight to get back to his family, during which time he made his award-winning film, Ambulance.
Apr 2024
Syrian teen Hazim literally carries his wounded friend Saaed to Europe, where they become caretakers for German teen Marius—and during ten years, they all gradually learn the meaning of family, the diversity of abilities, and the complexities of who carries whom.
Mar 2026
After a lifetime of conflict in Iraq, 20-year-old Tiba joins the October 2019 protests. She is amazed to see so many young men and women gathering from across the nation. Regardless of class and religion, the youth stand side by side in a fight to reclaim their country. Tiba forms new friendships, ideas and dreams. When the peaceful protests are met with violence, she becomes a medic tending to the wounded. But she could never have imagined the heartache one fatality brings.
May 2014
A look at the life and career of the influential post-colonial writer and champion of the Palestinian cause in the West, through interviews with his immediate family and closest friends.
Nov 2018
In Senegal, two young wrestlers compete to seduce Madame Tyson, an influential manager with dreams of a political career.
Apr 2013
Sang is one of 300.000 children left behind by American soldiers after the Vietnam War, born to Vietnamese woman. When he unexpectedly finds his father in the U.S., he wants to meet him, even though it comes at a price of leaving his beloved family. Cultural barriers and unspoken pain collide when the past catches up with the present.
Apr 2026
On May 11, 2022, Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh was reporting from the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank when an Israeli soldier shot and killed her. The Israeli military would eventually admit it was "possible" she was killed by their fire. But Abu Akleh was also an American citizen and her killing has brought into sharp focus the United States's handling of her case. In The Killing of Shireen Abu Akleh, Fault Lines spoke with witnesses from that day and took questions to the White House and State Department about whether the US will investigate her shooting.
Dec 2022
Soumaya grew up in Barcelona, and the emotional distance between her and her mother, who is originally from Algeria, often feels vast. That tension is evident in their somewhat prickly conversation about praying and Ramadan. Things shift, however, when Soumaya decides to visit her grandmother in Algeria.
In Algeria, the Sebeïba (Tifinagh: ⵙⴱⵉⴱⴰ; Arabic: السبيبة) is a competitive celebration observed by two communities in Djanet. It combines dance, song, and the wearing of traditional costumes. In 2014, UNESCO inscribed it on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity under the title "Sebeïba ritual and ceremonies in the oasis of Djanet, Algeria." The Sebeïba rituals and ceremonies offer a fascinating glimpse into the cultural heritage of the Tuareg people, who inhabit the Sahara region and represent a tiny fraction of Algeria's population. At the heart of this ten-day festival lies a fierce music and dance competition between two rival villages, Azellouaz and El Mihan. There can be only one Sebeïba winner—at least until the following year. This unique annual event attracts numerous tourists from around the world.
Aug 2023