Habibi

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Habibi

2010

1h 25m

Drama

Romance

War

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Popcornmeter

50%

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10 Reviews

Popcornmeter

50+ Ratings

A modern retelling of the forbidden love story between 7th-century poet Qays ibn al-Mulawwah and his one and only Layla.

Ben Sachs

Chicago Reader

This American-Palestinian coproduction paints a vivid picture of daily life in the occupied territories, though it's fairly heavy-handed as drama.

Apr 25, 2013

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Loren King

Boston Globe

[It] has a gritty, low-budget realism as it depicts day-to-day life under the threat of violence and age-old cultural and generational obstacles.

Rated: 3/4

Mar 5, 2013

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Jay Weissberg

Variety

A low-budget romancer with more heart than style.

Dec 5, 2012

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David Walsh

World Socialist Web Site

Habibi, from American-born Susan Youssef, also has a knowing and substantial, yet poetic, quality.

Feb 14, 2021

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Peter Keough

Boston Phoenix

Based on a 9th-century poem about similar lovers at the mercy of historical turmoil, Youssef's debut film captures the ecstasy and desperation of frustrated passion as it presents a desolate portrait of Palestine today.

Rated: 3/4

Feb 28, 2013

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: C

Feb 26, 2013

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jameel k

This show represents cultural invasion. It represents the age of moral decay and has nothing to do with our values. Those who participated in it are attention seekers.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

10/30/24

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Audience Member

The film was enchanting- from the performances to the poetry that runs through the film, is so moving, and shows Gaza in a way I have never witnessed on the screen.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/04/23

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Susan Youssef

Director

Kais Nashif

Qays

Yosef Abu Wardeh

Al-Mahdi

Maisa Abd Elhadi

Layla

Amer Khalil

Qays' Father

Jihad Al-Khattib

Walid

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Synopsis

A modern retelling of the forbidden love story between 7th-century poet Qays ibn al-Mulawwah and his one and only Layla.

Director: Susan Youssef
Producer: Susan Youssef
Screenwriter: Susan Youssef
Production Co: Dubai Media and Entertainment Organisation in association with Dubai Film Market (Enjaaz), Idioms Film
Genre: Drama, Romance, War
Original Language: Arabic
Runtime: 1h 25m