Summary of the Democracy Now! Interview with cherien Dabis
This transcript details a conversation on Democracy Now! with filmmaker Cherien Dabis about her film All That’s Left of You. Here’s a breakdown of the key points:
* The Film’s Story: The film follows a Palestinian family across three generations (1948 to the present), exploring themes of love, loss, and how history shapes individuals and families. It’s fundamentally about survival, humanity, and finding meaning amidst grief.
* Filming Amidst Conflict: Dabis and her crew began filming in the West Bank before October 7th, 2023. Following the Hamas attack and the subsequent war in gaza, thay were forced to evacuate and eventually continued filming in Jordan. The ongoing conflict deeply impacted the production, blurring the lines between life and art, and becoming a vessel for their collective grief and compassion.
* Mohammad Bakri’s Passing: The film’s release coincided with the death of Mohammad Bakri, a prominent Palestinian actor starring in the film. Dabis speaks highly of his talent, dedication, and integrity, and expresses gratitude he was able to see the finished film.
* Family Dynasty: Dabis intentionally cast a real family, including Bakri and his children, to portray the intergenerational story, adding authenticity to the narrative.
* The Importance of Representation: Dabis highlights the need to show the world the humanity and resilience of Palestinians, which she feels is often overlooked.
* Current Availability: The film is currently showing in New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, with plans for wider release. Dabis is doing Q&A sessions at the theaters.
The interview emphasizes the film’s timely and poignant message,particularly in the context of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It also celebrates the legacy of Mohammad Bakri and the dedication of the cast and crew to bringing this story to the screen.
