Arabian Nights (2015 film)

Arabian Nights is a 2015 Portuguese anthology film directed by Miguel Gomes, based on the collection of Middle Eastern and South Asian stories One Thousand and One Nights. The film is divided into three volumes: The Restless One, The Desolate One, and The Enchanted One.

The film uses the framework of Scheherazade telling stories to a king to avoid execution, but transposes the setting to modern-day Portugal amidst the country's economic crisis and austerity measures. The stories blend fictional elements with documentary-style footage and interviews with real people affected by the crisis. The narrative structure is episodic and nonlinear, with each volume presenting a series of loosely connected tales.

The Restless One focuses on the director's (Miguel Gomes') struggle to find a compelling way to depict the crisis and his eventual departure, leaving Scheherazade to continue the storytelling.

The Desolate One features stories of hardship and resilience, including accounts of striking dockworkers, a criminal trial involving a rooster, and a community dealing with the threat of wasps.

The Enchanted One explores more fantastical and allegorical narratives, including a tale of a judge who becomes obsessed with swimming and a community captivated by the singing of a whale.

The film received critical acclaim for its innovative narrative structure, its blend of fiction and reality, and its commentary on contemporary social and political issues. It premiered at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival, where it was nominated for the Directors' Fortnight award.