Cinema and the Art of Seeing the Other

At a time when identities are shifting and cultures intersect more intensely than ever, films that explore otherness feel especially vital. Maoussi (2024), Cidade Rabat (2023), Arthur & Diana (2023) and Who If Not Us (2023) offer a wide-ranging look at the intercultural encounters that often take place in contemporary European cinema. Different in tone and style, they share the common aim of examining how we relate to the Other, to place and to the personal stories that shape our shared understanding of the world.

Maoussi – A Reflection of the Word in a Space

Maoussi builds an entire world from its title alone. The film treats its setting as both a real location and a metaphor, but is always a meeting point for perspectives, memories and identities. Through this space, the characters reflect on their own ties to others and to the world around them. The result is a film that questions identity while offering a fresh look at how local experiences connect to global realities.
The next masterpiece? It’s up to you to decide!

Watch Maoussi here and give the film a chance to shine.

Cidade Rabat – Between Two Shores

Cidade Rabat stands at the crossroads of urban imagination and North African heritage. By merging the Portuguese word “cidade” with Rabat, the capital of Morocco, the film creates a hybrid space that bridges the gap between Europe and the Maghreb. It traces paths of migration, exchange and change, turning the city into a place where tensions and connections coexist. Through its characters, the film highlights the richness of mixed identities and the fluid nature of cultural encounter.

The next masterpiece? It’s up to you to decide! Watch Cidade Rabat here and give the film a chance to shine.

Arthur & Diana – Otherness Up Close

Slightly more discretely, Arthur & Diana explores otherness through the complexity of a sibling relationship. The brother and sister observe, misunderstand and reconnect with one another, moving between closeness and distance. Every interaction carries the complexity of encounter. The film suggests that each person becomes a sensitive terrain for the other, raising the same questions found in stories of migration or cultural exchange, like how do we coexist, communicate and truly recognise one another?

The next masterpiece? It’s up to you to decide! Watch Arthur & Diana here and give the film a chance to shine.

Who If Not Us – Belonging as a Shared Responsibility

With Who If Not Us, the question is asked head-on: “If not us, then who?” The idea of otherness becomes collective. This central question frames a narrative about shared responsibility in the face of social, political and environmental challenges. The film reflects on our ability as a community to welcome others, understand them and act with them. It argues that encounter is not only personal, but a crucial social dynamic.

The next masterpiece? It’s up to you to decide! Watch Who If Not Us here and give the film a chance to shine.

A Common Thread

Together, these four films create a kind of atlas of cinematic otherness. They show how encounters across cultures, spaces, relationships, or entire communities remain a powerful driver of storytelling. In a landscape of European cinema that is going through rapid changes, these films help shape a narrative that is plural, perceptive and deeply human.

Interested? Discover the ArteKino 2025 festival selection here. European cinema is in your hands, vote to support it!