She Sings
New/Next '23 + '24
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Short Films, 25-Aug-2025
When a woman retraces the steps of a recurring dream, it reveals a fractured sense of self. Lily Ekimian Ragheb and Ahmed T. Ragheb direct “She Sings,” an experiential account of immigration and the blurred sense of belonging that follows. From murmurs in Arabic to reflections in English, Aziza reflects on a repeating sequence in a dream. Murky images appear, and we hear Aziza’s train of thought accompanied by the diegetic pitter-patter of rain and windshield wipers. Although the memory feels vivid, a hesitancy from the voice of our narrator suggests a state of being between reality and memory. Another individual, possibly a family member, expresses their expectation for Aziza to deliver a song recital at a get-together. Despite it seeming impossible, she tries to reach her destination, only to encounter another performer. Through the film’s multimedia modes, the directors convey how the feeling of home may feel ambiguous to actual physical territory. -JM. Directors: Lily Ekimian Ragheb & Ahmed T. Ragheb. Cast: Mariam Atallah, Daniel Knox, Tera Josephine Gabriel, Grace Cooper. Director of Photography: Frida Marzouk. Editor: Linh Tran. Executive Producer: Salman Al-Rashid - Salmira Productions. Color: Chrystel Elias. Sound: Dora Filipovic.
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