Although numerous filmmakers have portrayed Nubian people in their artistic works throughout history, little attention has been given to the major problems that have afflicted Nubians for decades.
In an attempt to shed light on Nubian society and the challenges it encounters, director Mohammed Hisham released “Jareedy”, the first film in the Nubian language. The film will be screened in the Luxor African Film Festival that between 17 and 23 March 2016.
“The movie is about the dream. Dreamers must listen to that persisting voice inside their heads since our subconscious knows what we do not. This is why before facing the world we have to initially face our fears. Therefore, we all have our own ‘Jareedy’; it is our means to cross over to the other side,” Hisham said.
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The film will have both Arabic and English subtitles and will be also screened during the Afrika Film Festival in Belgium, one of the biggest festivals concerned with African cinema around the world.
“No one really knows where ideas come from. I think with meditation and immersion in different subjects, one becomes prone and more sensitive to receiving inspiration and ideas, which I consider to be messages or gifts from the universe,” he said, explaining the idea and inspiration behind the film.
In preparation for the movie, he paid several visits to Aswan and Nubia, where he was introduced to the “Jareedy”: a small handmade boat created by Nubian children.
“To me, this represented a means to conquer the fear of the River Nile. Also the nostalgia Nubians carried around for their sunken land left a huge impact on me. The knowing that there is no way of returning to their homeland someday compelled me to direct this film and tell this story,” he said.
The film trailer blends the beauty of nature, the dreams of the Nubian children, and the stories of the elderly in a remarkable way. While watching the trailer, the viewer can listen to a deep voice of an old Nubian man summarising the main message the movie tries to convey. “All the stories are the same and have only one door. It opens on tomorrow which is interwoven with yesterday. This door opens on the Nile. Behind the door is the secret and the rest of the story. When you meet your dreams, you have also to meet your fears,” he said.
The film participated in a number of international festivals, including the Jaipur International Film Festival in India, the 12 Months Film Festival, and the London International Film Festival and has received waves of appreciation and praise.
“I can’t tell to what extent this film would help Nubian people but I did what I could do to portray the reality,” he said.
