Oscars sign with statue

The Middle Geeks Episode 76: SWANA Oscar Noms and Awesome Con 2026

We discuss the SWANA films that received Oscar nominations and make an exciting announcement about this year’s Awesome Con!

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NOC Review: ‘Palestine 36’ is an Epic Historical Film of Resounding Importance

Annemarie Jacir’s Palestine 36 is an epic historical film that takes the audience back to 1936 when Palestine began to make a great push resisting British colonial rule. It is not only an astoundingly well made film with incredible performances, it is a film that is a much needed history lesson that needs to be shown in every school and university in western nations and around the world. At its core, the film shows the Palestinian resistance for what it really is: a fight for freedom and independence which has been going on for many, many decades.

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Palestine 36

The Middle Geeks Episode 74: ‘Palestine 36’ Review and the Echoes of the Past

We review Palestinian director Annemarie Jacir’s latest film, Palestine 36, which chronicles the last days of the British Mandate of Palestine.

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‘Superman’ and The Quest For Palestine

Over here at The Nerds Of Color, Mike Manalo has done an astounding job covering the James Gunn version of Superman and, like him, our opinions are aligned that this is a Superman film for the ages. While there were many things to nitpick, there was undeniable energy and hope that coursed through the film, driven by the excellent David Corenswet. But while watching the film, I could not help but notice that the central conflict between the fictional countries of Boravia and Jarhanpur bore a striking resemblance to that of Israel and Palestine. We’re going to talk about this allegory exclusively, so come with me on this journey!

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Los Angeles Theatre, Let’s Talk About Palestine

To the Los Angeles theatre community, I love you and I adore you. I’ve been part of you for the past 15 years and despite the many challenges I have come across when it comes to meaningful representation and opportunities, I will always cherish the countless memories we have experienced and will continue to experience together as an artist and as a critic. But I think it’s time we desperately need to talk about the one subject that you have been avoiding for so long — Palestine.

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Superman (David Corenswet) saving a man

The New ‘Superman’ Trailer Shows Us What a True Superhero Would Do in Our World

Everybody knows Superman. Everyone has an idea of who this iconic character is, with both favorable interpretations of his inherent devotion to doing good, and unfavorable interpretations of his will to help, with all his power, being unrealistic.

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‘The Teacher’ is an Invaluable and Stirring Drama of Occupied Palestine

Normally I hate, haaaaaate watching trauma films of global majority folks because I fully believe that we are more than our tragedies and have many stories of joy, silliness, and delight within us. But the world, particularly the western world, still cannot comprehend the tragedies continuously endured by the Palestinian people.

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The Middle Geeks Episode 72: ‘Leila and the Wolves’ Review

We review the 1984 film, Leila and the Wolves, which chronicles the revolutionary role of women in the Levant.

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‘The Encampments’ is an Essential Documentary for the Ages

What exactly happened during the student protests at Columbia University last year and similar universities in the United States and worldwide? What were they fighting for? Was it as truly antisemitic as the Democratic Party, mainstream media, and now the MAGA-led Trump administration say it was?

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A Los Angeles Theatre Review: ‘Cambodian Rock Band’

Ever since the world premiere of Lauren Yee’s Cambodian Rock Band at the South Coast Repertory back in 2018, there have been nothing but hype and rave reviews as it quickly became an immensely successful and popular production that had many others take place around the United States, with its most significant ones being at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and the Signature Theatre in New York.

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Mo Season 2

The Middle Geeks Episode 71: ‘Mo’ Season 2 Review

Tariq Ra’ouf and Kate Sánchez of But Why Tho? join us to review the second and last season of Palestinian comedian Mo Amer’s critically acclaimed Netflix series.

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World Premiere of Palestinian American Play ‘The Cave’ at A Red Orchid Theatre

One of my biggest goals for the 2025 year is highlighting and amplifying more works of art by Palestinian artists around the world.

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The Middle Geeks Episode 70: ‘From Ground Zero’ and 2024 in Review

We’re joined by activist Andrew Kadi to review the harrowing yet hopeful documentary compilation From Ground Zero, in which 22 Palestinian filmmakers document their genocide from Gaza.

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Titles to Watch For From the 44th Hawai’i International Film Festival

A content, unmotivated 29-year-old ignites a toxic relationship. The origin story of shaka. A glimpse at the life of the Ambassador of Aloha. A look at Israeli occupation in the West Bank of Palestine before October 7, 2023. Delinquent girls plot their escape from an abusive reform school. Three kids band together to climb up a mountain.

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The Middle Geeks Episode 68: ‘The Rings of Power’ Season 2 SPOILER Review

Arezou joins us once again to review The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 on Amazon Prime!

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Osha and Qimir in the cave

The Middle Geeks Episode 67: ‘Star Wars: The Acolyte’ Season 1 Review

Arezou joins us once again along with new guest Noor to review one of the most riveting Star Wars series yet.

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Celebrating ’24 Hours for Palestine: A Moon Will Rise from Darkness’

On July 20 and 21, Golden Thread Productions will present an incredible 24-hour online event featuring 100+ global artists & activists with back-to-back presentations, performances, and discussions building solidarity in the global movement for a free Palestine.

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A Los Angeles Theatre Review: ‘Handala’

I’m going to cut to the chase but Handala, a 2024 Hollywood Fringe Festival scholarship recipient, may be one of the most important theatre works of our generation. This solo performance show is not only a celebration of Palestine but it does something that is so badly needed right now: to give humanity and soul to the Palestinian people while loudly declaring that there must be freedom and liberation.

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The Middle Geeks Episode 66: ‘We Are Lady Parts’ Season 2 Review

Isa joins us once again to review the second season of Nida Manzoor’s masterpiece Peacock series, We Are Lady Parts!

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The Middle Geeks Episode 65: Author Rania Hanna on ‘The Jinn Daughter’

We welcome on debut author Rania Hanna to discuss her new book, The Jinn Daughter!

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‘Handala: A Celebration of Palestine’ to Premiere at the 2024 Hollywood Fringe Festival

I’ve done press coverage for the Hollywood Fringe Festival in the past before but rarely do I do press releases for upcoming performances. With Handala, an exception had to be made because not only is it a much needed celebration of Palestine but it is also a 2024 Hollywood Fringe Scholarship recipient that signifies the program’s goal of expanding and diversifying the body of work being presented at Fringe.

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‘Cinema For Gaza’ Initiative Recruits Ramy Youssef, Tilda Swinton, Karen Gillan, and More

Since October 7, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have killed over 32,000 and injured over 70,000 Palestinians in their ongoing war on Gaza, under the pretext of eradicating Hamas after their attack on Israel that killed over 1,500 Israelis. The Israeli government has severely limited humanitarian aid coming in at the border crossings, leading northern Gaza to the brink of famine.

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The Middle Geeks Episode 64: Live at Awesome Con in Washington D.C.

The Middle Geeks are LIVE at Awesome Con, discussing all things SWANA/MENA Representation!

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