This remarkable documentary tells the little-known story of Arab Jews whose families had lived for generations in Baghdad before they were forcibly resettled in Israel in 1948.

Already a little dated, this documentary still packs a wallop. American filmmaker James Longley went to Gaza in early 2001, unwittingly catching a kind of time-capsule picture of this part of the Muslim world just before 9/11.

Anyone with the slightest interest in world music will find this film a richly entertaining journey through the many genres of Turkish music performed today - from traditional to hip hop.

This hour-long documentary recounts the life and career of Egyptian singer Umm Kulthum, who can only be described as a phenomenon like Edith Piaf, a performer from humble origins who captured the hearts and minds of millions with her voice and her song.

German director Werner Herzog tells the story of German-born Dieter Dengler who emigrates to America and becomes a bomber pilot during Vietnam. Shot down over Laos, he is taken prisoner and eventually escapes from his captors.

This cinema-verite style documentary shows the daily life of a teacher and his young students, in a rural French school. M. Lopez rather masterfully manages his 13 students, ages 3-10, while displaying no particular brilliance at doing more than keeping them orderly and occupied at not-so-interesting tasks. Absorbing portrayal of life as it is lived.

British director Daniel Gordon has created a curious film about defectors from the US Army who crossed the DMZ from South Korea in the early 1960s. One of them, now in his late 60s, has been a film star in North Korean movies and, married with children, seems content with the life he has chosen.

This engaging film from Norway goes to a village on the north coast to tell the story of a group of men who find purpose, companionship and even international fame, as members of a male choir.

This documentary from Israel and Palestine shows the efforts of men and women on both sides attempting to use tactics of nonviolence to reduce hostilities and misunderstanding between their two peoples. The film focuses on about 10 individuals, all of whom have lost close members of their families in the fighting.