While Hollywood and Bollywood dominate as global movie industries, there is no doubt that making films is an international business. Every year, a number of incredible features are filmed in, and released by, different countries around the world.
This week, transcription site Amberscript.com has analysed the films made by, or in, 130 countries around the world, working out which have been the most highly rated in each, using their IMDb scores.
Unsurprisingly, perhaps, the US comes out on top, with 1994's The Shawshank Redemption, which scored a near-perfect 9.2 out of 10 on the film authority site. In joint second place are Bangladesh's Mirror Game (2016) and Kosovo's Zana (2019), both of which score 9.1.
The UK and Sri Lanka follow with The Dark Knight (2008) and Aloko Udapadi (2017), respectively, with a score of 9.
Countries were worked out using IMDb's search option, which enables users to filter film titles by country to see a list of all films produced, filmed or credited in that location.
Top ranked Middle Eastern films
Regionally, a number of films have been listed in the round-up of 130 countries.
Both Libya's Lion of the Desert (1981) and Lebanon's Capernaum (2018) are rated 8.4. Turkey's My Father and My Son (2005) scores 8.3, as does Iran's A Separation (2011).
Egypt is represented by The Message (1976) with 8.2 and Algeria's The Battle of Algiers (1966) scored 8.1.
Hollywood blockbuster The Martian (2015), starring Matt Damon, which was largely filmed in Wadi Rum, represents Jordan and scores 8, with Israel's Waltz with Bashir (2018) scoring the same.
The UAE is represented by 2015's Bilal: A New Breed of Hero, an English-language Arabic computer-animated action-adventure film, which scored 7.9. Saudi Arabia's Wadjda (2012), meanwhile, scores a respectable 7.5 and Palestine's Paradise Now (2005) scores 7.4.
The top 20 in full:
1. United States of America: The Shawshank Redemption – 9.2
= 2. Bangladesh: Mirror Game – 9.1
= 2. Kosovo: Zana – 9.1
= 4. United Kingdom: The Dark Knight – 9
= 4. Sri Lanka: Aloko Udapadi – 9
6. New Zealand: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King – 8.9
= 7. Germany: Fight Club – 8.8
= 7. Italy: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly – 8.8
= 9. Japan: Seven Samurai – 8.6
= 9. Canada: Interstellar – 8.6
= 9. South Korea: Parasite – 8.6
= 9. Brazil: City of God – 8.6
= 13. Malta: Gladiator – 8.5
= 13. France: Leon: The Professional – 8.5
= 13. Myanmar: Mudras Calling – 8.5
= 13. Norway: The Pinchcliffe Grand Prix – 8.5
= 13. Poland: The Pianist – 8.5
= 13. Ghana: Samsara – 8.5
= 19. Libya: Lion of the Desert – 8.4
= 19. India: 3 Idiots – 8.4
Films that represent countries around the world:
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
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The specs
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
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ESSENTIALS
The flights
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UAE v Ireland
1st ODI, UAE win by 6 wickets
2nd ODI, January 12
3rd ODI, January 14
4th ODI, January 16
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What can victims do?
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Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
The biog
Fatima Al Darmaki is an Emirati widow with three children
She has received 46 certificates of appreciation and excellence throughout her career
She won the 'ideal mother' category at the Minister of Interior Awards for Excellence
Her favourite food is Harees, a slow-cooked porridge-like dish made from boiled wheat berries mixed with chicken
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Points to remember
- Debate the issue, don't attack the person
- Build the relationship and dialogue by seeking to find common ground
- Express passion for the issue but be aware of when you're losing control or when there's anger. If there is, pause and take some time out.
- Listen actively without interrupting
- Avoid assumptions, seek understanding, ask questions
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