Things Arab Men Say

201652 min 8 secFilm: Documentaire

G

Réalisation: Nisreen Baker

Production: Bonnie ThompsonDavid Christensen

Scénarisation: Nisreen Baker

Arab men worldwide are, for the most part, depicted by the mainstream media as terrorists, suicide bombers, or, at best, extremists. Things Arab Men Say, by Egyptian-born filmmaker Nisreen Baker, is an intimate and fascinating documentary that follows eight Arab Canadian friends who reveal a very different picture of Arab men.

Sometimes funny, sometimes sad, this insightful film introduces us to Jay, Ghassan, Faisal, Adnan, Falah, Bashar and Ramey as they gather at Jamal’s Barber Shop for a haircut, a shave, and a little conversation. Topics range from work and family to politics, race and, of course, religion. In the process, they address universal themes such as home, identity, and success, and ultimately, explore what it means to be an Arab in Canada.

We discover how difficult it was for Ghassan, a “stateless” Palestinian, to find a country that would allow him to stay, and how Bashar can’t find decent work even though he has a Ph.D.-level education. We begin to understand the efforts these men—and their families—have made to integrate while simultaneously trying to preserve aspects of their identity and culture.

Although located in St. Albert, an Edmonton suburb, Jamal’s Barber Shop could be anywhere, with this small group of friends serving as a microcosm of the Arab community. As each man waits for his turn in the barber’s chair, their debates, which are often surprising, show the many facets of the Arab community. And once you hear what they have to say, you’ll never succumb to the mainstream message again.

Catégories de sujets


  • Diversité culturelle et Multiculturalisme > Expérience de l'immigration
  • Sciences humaines > Les communautés au Canada/Dans le monde
  • Diversité > Diversité dans les communautés
  • Histoire et éducation à la citoyenneté > Enjeux de la société d'aujourd'huiPopulation et peuplement (1608 à nos jours)

Générique


écriture
Nisreen Baker
réalisateur
Nisreen Baker
producteur
Bonnie Thompson
producteur exécutif
David Christensen
monteur
Hans Olson
directeur de la photographie
Daron Donahue
aAron Munson
caméra additionnelle
Oliver Lessard
preneur de son
Larry MacDonald
Garrell Clark
conception sonore
John Blerot
compositeur de la musique
Ashraf El-Assaly
monteur en ligne
Kody Davidson
coloration
Herman Ansink
sous-titres pour malentendants
Steve Nichols
Andy Toms
traduction
Nisreen Baker
coordonnateur de production
Jasmine Pullukatt
Faye Yoneda
superviseur de production
Mark Power
agent, marketing
Leslie Stafford
administrateur de programme
Bree Beach
Ginette D'Silva
gestionnaire des opérations du Centre
Darin Clausen