Top 10 Detective Films with Muslim Themes

Description: While primarily a drama, this film includes a subplot where the protagonist, Gogol, explores his roots, which can be seen as a form of detective work into his own identity and heritage.

Fact: Based on the novel by Jhumpa Lahiri, the film was directed by Mira Nair.

Description: This Israeli film, though more of a comedy-drama, has elements of a detective story as an Egyptian police band lost in Israel must solve the puzzle of how to get back home, uncovering cultural misunderstandings along the way.

Fact: It won the Un Certain Regard award at Cannes and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

Description: This film, based on Mohsin Hamid's novel, follows a Pakistani man who becomes a suspect in a kidnapping case, leading to a narrative filled with detective-like elements as he navigates through suspicion and identity crisis.

Fact: The film was shot in multiple locations including Lahore, Pakistan, and New York City.

Description: This German film follows an Armenian genocide survivor who becomes a detective of sorts, searching for his family across continents. It's a poignant exploration of loss, identity, and the quest for justice.

Fact: Directed by Fatih Akin, the film was shot in multiple countries including Turkey, Cuba, and Canada.

Description: This film features a Muslim character in a military setting, where a group of soldiers must solve the mystery of their missing comrades in the desert. It's a blend of action, drama, and detective work.

Fact: The film stars Dolph Lundgren and was shot in Morocco, providing an authentic backdrop for its story.

Description: While not a traditional detective film, this Israeli-French-German production involves a family drama where the characters must navigate through political and personal intrigue, akin to solving a mystery.

Fact: It was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival.

Description: This French film, while primarily a drama, has elements of a detective story as the protagonist navigates through bureaucratic and personal challenges to open a restaurant, uncovering secrets along the way.

Fact: It won the Special Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for the Palme d'Or.

Description: While not strictly a detective film, this French-Lebanese production involves a surgeon who turns detective to uncover the truth behind his wife's involvement in a suicide bombing. It explores themes of identity, betrayal, and justice.

Fact: The film was adapted from a novel by Yasmina Khadra and was selected as the Lebanese entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 85th Academy Awards.

Description: This Argentine film, which won an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, involves a retired legal counselor who writes a novel based on an unresolved rape and murder case from his past, blending detective work with personal reflection.

Fact: The film was remade in Hollywood in 2015 with the same title.

Description: This Egyptian film, set in a once-grand apartment building in Cairo, weaves together multiple storylines, including a detective subplot involving a young journalist investigating corruption and crime. It's a compelling look at modern Egyptian society through the lens of a detective story.

Fact: The film was based on a best-selling novel by Alaa Al Aswany and was one of the most expensive Egyptian films ever made at the time of its release.