On International Women’s Day… Arab female directors excelled in the world of cinema

2024-03-08 08:45:12

International Women’s Day is not an ordinary day; It is a global celebration of the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women, as it is an important occasion to honor the achievements of women in all walks of life and all sectors.

One of these sectors is the art and film industry, which is considered a powerful medium for storytelling and acting, and which has witnessed the emergence of many talented female directors over the past years. Therefore, we will learn regarding Arab female directors who have broken barriers, achieved real success in the industry, and thus become a source of inspiration for many.

Successful Arab female directors in the art industry:

Nayla Al Khaja:

Nayla Al Khaja is the first Emirati film director and producer who was able to place her name among the great Arab female directors in this industry. Al Khaja reached historic success at the Cannes Film Festival, through her film “Animal”, with which she became the first Emirati to have her film accepted by the producers’ network.

Nayla Al Khaja founded the first film club in Dubai, to support new talents and defend the role of women in Arab cinema in general.

Nadine Labaki:

Lebanese Nadine Labaki is one of the Arab directors who caused a stir in the international cinema scene with her influential and powerful films. Her works, which include the films: “Caramel” and “Capernaum,” were celebrated at the Cannes Film Festival and the Oscars award ceremony.

Labaki’s films often explore the struggles of women and children in Lebanese society in particular, and the Arab world in general, due to her ability to capture raw emotions and depict them in a relatable way, which has made her a favorite among audiences and critics alike. Labaki’s films are a testament to her skill as a director and her dedication to highlighting pressing societal issues.

• Haifa Al-Mansour

Haifa Al-Mansour:

Haifa Al-Mansour, from Saudi Arabia, another pioneer of Arab cinema, achieved international fame with her first film, “Wadjda,” the first feature film shot entirely in Saudi Arabia. This alone is an impressive achievement, given the conservative nature of the country. and restrictions imposed on women.

Al-Mansour used her work; Highlighting these restrictions, which has sparked global discussions regarding women’s rights in Saudi Arabia, her films not only provide entertainment, but also serve as a powerful commentary on societal issues, making her a force to be reckoned with in world cinema. Her most notable works include: “Forever Curly,” “Mary Shelley,” “The Perfect Candidate,” “Lord Flying,” “The Prairie,” “The Witches of Mayfair,” “A City on Fire,” and “The Florida Man.”

• Kamila Abu Zekry

Kamla Abu Zekry:

The Egyptian director, Kamla Abu Zekry, is considered one of the most famous female models in the world of cinematic and dramatic directing, as she achieved a huge breakthrough in the world of directing Egyptian drama, and was able to engrave her name among the leading Egyptian directors, as she presented a group of distinguished works over the course of more than 25 years, Since its inception in the mid-nineties, it has presented a large number of Egyptians’ favorite films, including: “Hassan Al-Lul,” “Al-Limby,” “The First Year of Nasb,” “One Zero,” “Nasa’s Prison,” “Sunset Oasis,” and “With 100 Wesh.”

Sandra grew up:

Another name among Egyptian female directors who have achieved overwhelming success in the world of directing. Director Sandra Nashaat competed with men in the field of directing for many years, and was able to engrave her name with a distinguished and immortal career in Egyptian cinema. Since her beginning, she participated in works that cannot be forgotten in the memory of Egyptian cinema. The most prominent of which are: “The Dancer and the Politician, and Mercedes,” following which she moved to the directing stage, presenting different types of cinematic topics, including: “A Thief in Thailand, A Thief in KG2, My Angel of Alexandria, The Hostage, and The Interest.”

Salma Bakkar:

Salma Bakkar is a Tunisian director, a pioneer in her field. She directed her first feature film, “Fatima 75,” in 1975. Bakkar’s works often focus on the challenges facing women in Tunisian society, and her films are insightful, thought-provoking, and steeped in realism.

Through her films, she constantly defended women’s rights, became a prominent figure in the feminist movement in Tunisia, and Bakkar’s dedication to highlighting women’s issues and fighting for change made her a true pioneer.

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