“My face shall be on the massive display? That’s terrifying!” I exclaimed to my good friend Nisreen Baker as we mentioned her newest challenge, Arab Girls Say What?! It was 2018, and little did I do know that I’d be occurring a wild five-year experience with my associates, not anticipating the profound impression this documentary would have on me (and, hopefully, on audiences).
Having recognized Nisreen personally and keenly watched her earlier works, together with Issues Arab Males Say, I knew that her imaginative and prescient challenged stereotypes, gently inviting viewers into the lives, properties and ideas of those that are sometimes marginalized. So when she requested me to take part, I accepted regardless of a right away sense of accountability to remain true to my ideas and, in fact, the sheer horror that the part-time introvert inside me felt. I used to be not solely going to look within the documentary as myself, but additionally as an Arab girl—an id that has drastically influenced how I view the world and the way others understand me. Realizing that Nedra, Sanaa, Tereza, Aya, Hala, Carmen and Leylan had been all in introduced me a lot consolation, and confidence that the content material was assured to be each deep and enjoyable. And if we needed to be terrified, at the very least we might be terrified collectively. That being mentioned, Nisreen eased our apprehensions by introducing “Narges,” the digicam, as our new good friend. Her presence grew on us, mixing seamlessly into our gatherings as we shared tales, laughter and, sometimes, tears.
The thought of representing the Arab id is difficult. There are 22 Arab nations throughout Africa and Asia with a smorgasbord of traditions and cultural heritage. At any time when we received collectively as a gaggle, we regularly spent a while laughing at how totally different our dialects had been. Sure, all of us spoke Arabic, however our tongues had been tinted with so many linguistic flavours, from distinctive influences associated to rising up in nations nestled between Africa, Asia and Europe, with appreciable cultural reshaping by the commerce routes, and sadly complicated colonial histories that capitalized on mentioned strategic places and cultural richness.
To cite somebody I went on a date with as soon as who didn’t notice I used to be Arab, “Are you aware that Muslim girls are usually not allowed to go to high school? You realize they’re forbidden from driving?” It was sobering to know that these false perceptions, whereas confidently relayed, remained extremely ignorant and shielded. Interactions like these verify that Nisreen’s documentary is a critically vital technique of difficult such uninformed molds. Arab girls are usually not all magic carpets, incense and belly-dancing set to “unique” ney music with a backdrop of camels within the Sahara. The entire group understood that our conversations wanted to resonate with the viewers, even when that meant that we mentioned our deepest fears, longings and the intricacies of defining “dwelling.”
Watching the documentary on the premiere was a surreal expertise, evoking laughter, tears and moments of introspection. Sharing a meal is central to the Arab expertise, and Ramadan takes it to a different stage. To me, the Ramadan gathering was the spotlight of the documentary as a result of it captured our real interactions at a time once we all typically really feel nostalgic for our dwelling nations and our large household and good friend gatherings. As with each household gathering, politics inevitably make their approach into our conversations, formed by our eager consciousness of regional geopolitics and, for some, firsthand experiences of warfare. Watching us discuss how Gaza was being bombarded whereas Gaza was being bombarded when the documentary premiered was a impolite awakening. Then again, watching each shot was like taking a look at a photograph album of polaroids of your emotions and normal state at the moment.
Because the credit rolled, I couldn’t assist however really feel a way of gratitude for being a part of such a transformative challenge. Arab Girls Say What?! isn’t only a documentary: it’s a celebration of resilience, sisterhood and the facility of genuine storytelling. As I replicate on this journey, I’m reminded that our voices matter, our tales should be heard, and our identities are multifaceted, defying slender stereotypes. Regardless of the preliminary jitters, I’m proud to have been portrayed subsequent to my clever, eloquent and brave associates, who’re huge of their personalities, kindness and generosity. I’m additionally reminded that in embracing vulnerability, we discover energy, unity and the braveness to problem perceptions—one dialog at a time.