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Ali Mustafa |
The Arab film industry has made inroads into the international movie scene over the past decade, and this has augmented the role of women in the sector. At this year’s Dubai International Film Festival (Diff), which runs until December 14, there is tangible evidence of not only the increase in the number of Arab women filmmakers but also the meatier role choices women enjoy.
Emirati filmmaker Nayla Al Khaja (Best Emirati Filmmaker, Diff 2007) walked the red carpet for the premiere of post-apocalyptic thriller The Worthy (by Emirati director Ali Mostafa), and gave me her views on the subject of Arab women in film.
“Right now, more than any [time] in the past, women have no excuse to not make films,” said Al Khaja. “Definitely, filmmaking is a male-dominated industry and only 8 per cent of women are playing an active role in producing movies, but having more women filmmakers would be a great achievement.”
Review of Emirati filmmaker Ali Mostafa's new film 'The Worthy' by Alexandra Chaves, Community Web Editor
Her Muhr Emirati movie, Animal, had its world premiere at Diff.
Mostafa himself seemed to appreciate the presence of more female filmmakers.
“I think it’s amazing to see so many women filmmakers in the Arab film industry these days doing such a good job, and even in this particular movie [The Worthy] we have women portraying very strong characters, which I feel is equally important.”
Arab actresses have also embraced the major change, with their portrayals of much stronger and diverse characters.
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Rakeen Saad and Maisa Abd Elhadi |
Rakeen Saad and Maisa Abd Elhadi, who starred in The Worthy, talked to me about their characters in the thriller, which follows a small group in a dystopian world and their battle for survival, where only one of them can be chosen as ‘worthy’.
“I play the role of Mariam in the movie; she is a very courageous young woman who acts as the protector of her family,” said Saad.
Abd Elhadi then shared her thoughts on the portrayal of more “liberated” characters.
“Now, women have a stronger personality, they are always one step ahead at everything and they are shown in leadership roles more than feminine roles, suggesting that things have changed,” she said.
Reham Haggag, who’s acted in The Preacher (directed by Magdy Ahmad Ali) that is part of the Cinema of the World programme, also has a unique perspective on women in the Arab film industry.
“We are doing okay but not good enough because of our cultures and the way we are bound by traditions of how women need to be less superior to men. According to our society, this industry seems to belong to just men, ”she says.
Meanwhile, Haggag’s The Preacher co-star Dorra talks about the changes that are needed in the industry. “My role in the movie challenges the way a society portrays women in reality so that people can start looking at women from a different perspective, though it is very difficult to change the way people look at women,” she said. “It’s been like that for generations but with roles like these, women can slowly be pulled out of their usual constrains and portrayed in a different light.”
— The Young Journalist Award (YJA) at Diff is a training programme for high school and university students who are aspiring writers and reporters. Eight students are competing at the festival this year. One winner will secure a monthlong internship with Gulf News.
