Jordanian Cinema: A burgeoning scene

Jordan’s cinema is little known in comparison to the better-developed and marketed cinemas of neighboring countries. But it has, in recent years, seen an explosion of creative outputs and growing investment alongside increasing local, regional, and international interest. This chapter applies an analytical lens to Jordanian cinema by focusing on the country’s submissions to the Oscars within the Best Foreign Language Film category while firmly anchoring its analysis in Jordan’s unique socio-cultural and geopolitical context. Particularly focusing on the themes and plot lines of these films, the chapter interrogates the fixation on certain identities and stereotypical representations while stressing cinema’s important role in reflecting the complex motifs that comprise Jordanian voices and experiences.