NWWA Poster A&E

Not Who We Are (directed by Carol Mansour)

This documentary highlights the plight of refugee women from Syria who have sought refuge in Lebanon over the past two years. The effects of war on women are intensely traumatic, for not only are they forced to leave behind their homes, loved ones, and social network; they also face discrimination, dis-empowerment, and violence.

The stories of five ordinary women lead us through the “refugee experience” as it impacts every aspect of their lives. They share their experiences of displacement and loss, and in the process, their strength and resilience in the face of daily struggles to survive in an often harsh environment, shines through. They reminisce about their old life back home; they talk about hardships; they speak candidly on sexuality and intimacy; and they disclose their fears and hopes for the future. In the process, we realize how often they have to live with the consequences of forced choices that they would not have made had they not been forced to leave their country and way of life.

Five women from different social, educational, and economic backgrounds tell us what it feels like to be a refugee, going beyond their material needs, rather focusing on the personal and emotional narrative.

Biography
Carol Mansour

Carol Mansour is an independent documentary film maker. She founded Forward Film Production in 2000 in Beirut, Lebanon. With over 20 years in documentary production, Mansour has covered the world from Sri Lanka to Lebanon to Uzbekistan. She has achieved international recognition and honor for her films, with over thirty film festival screenings and official selections worldwide.

Her films have won numerous prestigious awards including most recently, the Best Documentary award at the Rated SR Festival 2014 in New York, and the Jury’s Special Mention at the FIFOG festival in Geneva for her 2013 film on the plight of Syrian refugee women “Not Who We Are”. Her film on the 2006 Israeli war on Lebanon “A Summer Not To Forget” received Best Short International Documentary at the New Zealand Festival. She has also won the Jury’s Prize at the Institute du Monde Arab in Paris and Best Documentary at the Arab Film Festival in Rotterdam.

Her latest documentary film “We cannot go there now, my Dear” has been screened at several festivals in Europe and North America, winning Best Documentary Award at the Al-Ard Film Festival in Sardinina, and the Women Film Critics Circle Award at Rated SR Festival 2015 in New York.

Carol’s work reflects her concern for human rights and social justice, covering issues such as migrant workers, refugees, environmental issues, mental health, war and memory, right to health, and child labor.

Prior to launching Forward Film Production, Carol has produced, directed and hosted numerous live entertainment, magazine, and travel programs for Future Television in Beirut, Lebanon.

Carol is Lebanese of Palestinian origin. She studied in Montreal, Canada, and is currently living and working from Beirut, Lebanon.

List of documentary films

– “We cannot go there now, my Dear” (2014), 42’; the double-refugee experience of Palestinians from Syria
– “Not Who We Are” (2013), 71’; Syrian refugee women in Lebanon
-“We Want To Know” (2012), 42′ ; exploring the memory of the Lebanese civil war
– “Where do I begin?” (2011), 36′; mental health in Lebanon
– “All for the Nation” (2011), 52′; examining the inability of Lebanese women to give the nationality to spouses and children
– “I Come From a Beautiful Place” (2010), 33′; Iraqi and Sudanese refugees in Lebanon
– “Voices from Yemen” (2009), 30′; the challenges facing Yemeni working women
– Maid in Lebanon II (2008), 40′; the connection of female migrant domestic workers with their home countries
– “A Summer Not to Forget” (2007), 27′; chronicling the Israeli war on Lebanon of 2006
– “Invisible Children” (2006), 26′; working children
– “Maid in Lebanon” (2005), 27′; highlighting the plight of female migrant domestic workers
– “100% Asphalt” (2002), 26′; street children of Cairo

Website: www.forwardfilmproduction.com

Red Dawns Red Cycle takes place every third Sunday in Živko Skvotec (Factory Rog, main building, 1st floor left). We screen feminist and queer movies and discuss exposed issues. Above all it is a place for socializing, networking and the development of ideas and potential actions.

Red cycle is a set of events of the Red Dawns collective.
Technical support: Gallery Alkatraz (KUD Mreža)
Production: Forward Film Production

ORGANIZATION: Red Dawns (KUD Mreža) and Zivko Skvotec

Kindly welcome!
































































18. OKTOBER
20:00
Not Who We Are (directed by Carol Mansour)
Za ostale slike klikni tu