Halaqat - Exploring cultural links between Europe and the Arab world
Halaqat presents together with Bozar - Centre for Fine Arts and with the support of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Kingdom of Belgium the documentary "Under the Sky of Damascus" by Heba Khaled, Talal Derki and Ali Wajeeh. The screening will be followed by an online Q&A with director Heba Khaled, moderated by Brigitte Herremans. The film was shown at the Berlinale in 2023 in the section "Panorama Dokumente".
"UNDER THE SKY OF DAMASCUS" by Heba Khaled, Talal Derki, Ali Wajeeh (Denmark / Germany / USA / Syria 2023 - 88'):
Everyday life in Syria is not only marked by years of war but also by internalised misogyny and violence against women both within the family and in the workplace. It is not discussed, and harassment seems to be a commonplace expression of authority. Many women are pathologised and admitted to psychiatric wards, and even extreme abuse is rarely reported. In Damascus, a collective of young female actors comes together to research the topic. They plan to use the moving anonymous statements of countless women to create a stage play that will break taboos. But Eliana, Inana, Farah, Grace and Souhir face resistance – from their families and even during discussions within the group itself. When their feminist project suddenly encounters unexpected hurdles, their enthusiasm is put to its toughest test yet.
Syrian duo Talal Derki and Heba Khaled directed their film from the distance of their Berlin exile and together with Ali Wajeeh. In the film’s voice-over commentary, Heba Khaled puts the images and the oppression of Syrian women into context and draws comparisons with her own story as well as that of the actor Sabah Al Salem.
(Source: Berlinale 2013)
With the kind support of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany Brussels
Halaqat started in 2021 as a grant co-financed by the European Union (under the designation: EU-LAS CULTURE), the Goethe-Institut and Bozar - Centre for Fine Arts Brussels. The project was implemented by the Goethe-Institut in collaboration with Bozar from 01.02.2021 until 31.01.2023. Halaqat continues in 2023 with its own funds and with activities in Europe and in the Arab worlds. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the organisers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.
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