A symbolic examination of how men treat women in most of the Middle East from a young woman’s perspective. This is a moving women’s rights statement that rejects the objectification of women and the violence that often accompanies it. The film does not call for direct confrontation but instead calls for female inner strength to overcome the repression. Powerful images, voiceover comments, and pointed questions convey layered meanings, complemented by a classical musical score that adds depth and sensitivity. Transfixing from start to finish, Perspective takes a brilliant outside-the-box approach and delivers a clear, strong, and inspiring message.
Community Partner
Sarah Smadi, Hala Alyusuf, Cyrine Mah, Dania Makhlouf, Israa Alshaer, Nawal Osama, Natalie Badran
Iraq/Jordan
2021
English
Domestic Violence, Gender or Sexual Violence
Featured in:
International Shorts: Morality Plays
Morals are being challenged on many fronts. The protagonists in this program of short films are all faced with difficult moral choices and they don’t always make the right decisions.
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La Bola Negra
A big, old-school historical melodrama gets a thrillingly modern, queer makeover from Spanish duo Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi, who artfully juggle three gay protagonists across stories set in 1932, 1937, and 2017. Winner: Best Director, Cannes. Screening on 35mm.
A. Rimbaud
Patrick Wang (The Bread Factory) presents the life of French poet Arthur Rimbaud in this staggeringly adventurous and deeply considered movie, a three-hour, one-man show quite unlike anything we have seen before. "Poetic, audacious and singular."
The 39 Steps
In our new film studies series, FRAMEWORK, film scholar Michael van den Bos explores the work of Alfred Hitchcock, across four monochrome masterworks. This week: The 39 Steps (1935), a witty and fast-moving spy thriller from Hitchcock's English period.
American Doctor
One of the most powerful documentaries of the year, this puts us smack in the open wound that is Gaza, filtered through the eyes of three American surgeons (of Palestinian, Jewish and Zoroastrian backgrounds) compelled to do their utmost to alleviate harm.
The History of Concrete
After attending a workshop on pitching saccharine Hallmark movies, John Wilson tries to apply all the same best practices to his documentary about concrete. Frequently absurd and endlessly entertaining detours, asides, and digressions ensue.
Credits
Executive Producer
Alaa Algburi
Producer
Yousef Yousef
Screenwriter
Alaa Algburi
Cinematography
Suzan Nsoor
Editor
Suzan Nsoor
Art Director
Nilover Shehadat
Director
Alaa Algburi
Alaa Algburi was born in Baghdad, Iraq and currently lives in Amman, Jordan. She has degrees in both filmmaking and English literature, and experience in writing, directing, cinematography, and editing for film and TV commercials.