Identity and Palestine: MEMO in conversation with Amira Al-Shanti

MEMO speaks with with Scottish-Palestinian actor, singer and writer Amira Al-Shanti about identity and Palestine in the context of her most recent short film 'Said the Dove to the Olive Tree'. 

The 12-minute film, created by Amira Al-Shanti and produced by Interbang Productions in 2021, is a piece of digital spoken word which explores the complex feelings and identity of a Palestinian Diaspora in Scotland. It captures the intricate balance between the nostalgic romanticism of a homeland she cannot return to, and the bleak and dangerous reality of the oppression of Palestinians.

Al-Shanti had her West End debut in the world premiere of Rumi at the London Coliseum. She provided Arabic voiceover work in the National Theatre of Scotland's screenplay adaptation of Adam (BBC Scotland) and has a wealth of other theatre work. Previous pieces of her writing have been published by the Herald, including "Letters to JK Rowling" and "Being BROWN GIRL".