This is a monthly roundup of news articles and other materials related to artistically inclined topics challenging cultural hegemony in the region, and beyond. It does not reflect the views of the Vox Populi Page Editors or of Jadaliyya. You may send recommendations for inclusion in the Vox Populi Media Roundup to voxpopuli@jadaliyya.com, mentioning “Roundup” in the subject line. We also welcome your submissions to the Vox Populi Page.
English
How power is applied and diffused in the roads of Lebanon
Residents of Lebanon spend a lot of time on the roads within and between cities. Whether when using a private car or public transport, residents are exposed to drivers/car owners who impose their power and hierarchical positions on others drivers/road users.
Can YouTube series compete with Egypt TV dramas during Ramadan?
Rafik, a young and rich Egyptian man, gathered his friends from college and made a proposal: The 12 friends stay at his apartment for an indefinite period and the last one to leave is awarded a large sum of money, just like in the award-winning TV series 'Survivor'.
Further arrests of Saudi women's rights activists in escalating crackdown
At least 10 prominent Saudi activists, mostly women’s rights campaigners, have been reported to have been arrested in what appears to be an escalating clampdown ahead of the much-vaunted lifting of the prohibition on women driving in the kingdom on 24 June.
The Palestinian Shoemaker Making Americans and Britons Apologise
If you're American or British, you need to apologise for what you did to Palestine to this Palestinian shoemaker before entering his shop.
This Palestinian rapper is capturing the realities of occupation life
Ever eloquent and insightful, despite having just woken up from a late gig the night before, Palestinian producer and rapper, Muqata’a, explains how he feels like he doesn’t belong anywhere.
White Fantasies, Colorful Interiors
The problem with cultural appropriation in home design.
Nadine Labaki Wins the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival
A 15-minute standing ovation set the precedent for Lebanese actor, writer, and director Nadine Labaki’s Capernaum at its premiere at Cannes Film Festival on Thursday.
Egyptian treasures: Mo Salah’s boots get a spot in British Museum
After amassing armfuls of accolades for his record-smashing season at Liverpool, football wunderkind Mo Salah - nicknamed 'the Egyptian king' by his adoring fans - has reached true legend status after it was announced his boots will go on display in the British Museum, alongside the museum's world famous collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts.
A Century of Arab Art, Compressed into a Book
They are part of Modern Art in the Arab World: Primary Documents, published by the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York. The book is a panorama of modern Arab art based on carefully selected primary documents, many of which have been translated into English for the first time. Intended as a reference for the classroom and a catalyst for new research, this is an ambitious, fascinating volume.
Arab women artists push activism boundaries with thought provoking performances
Arab female artists are increasingly using art as a tool of activism to raise socio-political consciousness. As part of this process, the New York University of Abu Dhabi recently hosted bold themes by award-winning artists, like Tania el-Khoury and Heather Raffo.
Egyptian Film Yommedine Wins François Chalais Prize at Cannes
The film, directed by Abu Bakr (A. B.) Shawky and produced by Dina Emam, marked the return of Egyptian cinema to the Cannes red carpet, having not been featured since Yousry Nasrallah’s After The Battle in 2012.
Vouge Defends Saudi Princess Cover After Backlash
Vogue Arabia defends the Saudi princess cover after backlash. The cover depicts princess Hayfa bint Abdullah al Saud driving a car, while in reality, at the time of the realase of the cover picture, the Saudi government instituted a crack down on prominent women activists - arresting 5 who started the women driving campaign.
Arabic
الإتحاد النسائي الحر يطلق أول تطبيق "مانشوفش" في المغرب للتبليغ عن أي نوع من أنواع العنف الموجه نحو النوع الجنسي أو الجنسانية للمعتدى عليه.
الإمارات: السجن عشر سنوات للناشط الحقوقي أحمد منصور
أصدرت محكمة إماراتية حكما بالسجن لمدة عشر سنوات وغرامة مالية قدرها مليون درهم (272 ألف دولار) على الناشط الإماراتي البارز أحمد منصور بعد اتهامه بانتقاد الحكومة على وسائل التواصل الاجتماعي.
الرحلة للمخرج محمد الدراجي يفوز بجائزتين من مهرجان مسقط
في حفل ختام دورته العاشرة، أعلن مهرجان مسقط السينمائي الدولي بسلطنة عُمان عن فوز الفيلم العراقي الرحلة للمخرج محمد الدراجي بجائزتي لجنة التحكيم وأفضل ممثلة للفنانة زهراء غندور.
"هذه أمريكا" أغنية سياسية صادمة تحظى بأكثر من 100 مليون مشاهدة
حقق فيديو مغني الراب والموسيقي والممثل الأمريكي، دونالد غلوفر، المعروف فنيا باسم تشايلدش غامبينو، الأخير "هذه أمريكا"، أكثر من 100 مليون مشاهدة على موقع يوتيوب، متصدرا الأغاني الـ100 الأكثر رواجا في الولايات المتحدة.
مصر: أنباء عن اعتقال السلطات للمدون والناشط وائل عباس
تحدثت مواقع التواصل الاجتماعي عن قيام السلطات المصرية باعتقال المدون والناشط السياسي البارز وائل عباس، كما قضت محكمة عسكرية مصرية بسجن الصحفي والخبير في شؤون الحركات الجهادية في شبه جزيرة سيناء إسماعيل الإسكندراني.