FILM FROM THE SOUTH: Jafar Panahi's "No Bears" is a strong film in itself, but gains even greater impact in light of the situation the now imprisoned Iranian filmmaker is in.
Iran: In Iran, women can at any time end up in the clutches of the increasingly powerful and erratic Revolutionary Guard. It has a decisive influence on all public areas, from culture and the environment to the economy, politics and justice. And: Ebrahim Raisi was the name of the man who was responsible for the "death committee" – now he is Iran's future president.
MIDDLE EAST: What significance does it have that the authorities have cut cultural support to a number of Norwegian actors working internationally? For example, Kirkelig Kulturverksted i Midtøsten?
REFUGEES: Unity is pulverized, everyone just thinks of managing on their own, surviving, tearing up an extra bite of food, a place in the food queue or the telephone queue.
ISLAMISM: The traditional explanation for the conflict between Sunni and Shia Muslims is too superficial. A new, well-written analysis interprets the Middle East's major changes as a showdown between Saudi Arabia and Iran.
SUNNI AND SJIA: The religious contradictions between the two main directions of Islam are not so great. But in conflicts between countries and groups, they are used for everything they are worth.
READING AND WRITING DIFFICULTIES: Pakistan needs to prioritize the citizens' lack of reading and writing skills and should launch a nationwide program that takes into account the country's multicultural and foreign language communities.
PORTRAIT FILM: War Reporter Robert Fisk has the courage to monitor and challenge. He is known for reporting from the front lines in violation of the official line of politicians and authorities.