The afikra Podcast Nurturing Authentic Voices in Filmmaking in the Arab World | Rana Kazkaz
We delve into the evolving landscape of filmmaking in the region, the importance of authentic, locally rooted narratives, and the critical role of institutions like the Doha Film Institute in fostering emerging talent. Award-winning filmmaker and associate professor at Northwestern Qatar, Rana Kazkaz, offers a glimpse into her current project "The Hakawati's Daughter," and provides recommendations for essential Arab cinema. She shares her experiences teaching film in the Arab world, highlighting the unique challenges and immense joys of mentoring a new generation of storytellers.
This episode is in collaboration with Qatar Foundation.
0:00 Introduction
0:23 The Joy of Mentoring Arab Students
3:19 The "Why" of Storytelling: Finding Your Authentic Voice
4:44 Navigating Censorship and Risk in Filmmaking
7:24 How Technology is Shaping New Narratives
10:47 Shifting Away from the "Other" Narrative
14:55 Building the Filmmaking Pipeline: The Role of the Doha Film Institute
19:39 The Critical Need for Producers in the Arab World
21:39 The Impact of Non-Regional Producers on Arab Films
26:12 Recommending Authentic Arab Films for Students
29:28 Addressing Class Bias in the Film Industry
31:19 Unlearning Self-Orientalism in Storytelling
33:40 The Genesis of "The Hakawati's Daughter"
41:26 Essential Films from the Arab World
Rana Kazkaz is a filmmaker and associate professor in residence at Northwestern University Qatar. Her films have been recognized at the world’s leading festivals including Cannes, Sundance, Toronto, Tallinn, Tribeca, and Abu Dhabi. She received her MFA from Carnegie Mellon University/Moscow Art Theater and BA from Oberlin College. With a focus on Syrian stories, her producing, screenwriting, and directing portfolio includes The Translator (2020), Mare Nostrum (2016), Searching for the Translator (2016), Deaf Day (2011), and Kemo Sabe (2007). Her current film projects include The Hakawati’s Daughter and Honest Politics. She is a member of the Académie des César and was awarded fellowships with the Buffett Institute, MacDowell and the American Film Institute's Directing Workshop for Women.
Connect with Rana Kazkaz 👉
https://www.instagram.com/ranakazkaz
Hosted by:
Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gb
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afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.
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