Draw for Change: Behind the Lines - DokuMontag

Demonstration of "Draw for Change: Behind the Lines".

EUNIC-DokuMontag

Draw for Change: Behind the Lines

Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Germany, Netherlands 2023, 70 min., OmeU, Director: Alisar Hasan, Alaa Amer

Amany Al-Ali is the first Syria's female cartoonist and lives in her father's house in Idlib, where she draws life in her city, a bastion of jihadist groups that have been trying to overthrow President Assad since 2011. Although her artwork has been exhibited in galleries in France and Italy, it has never been shown in Syria. Despite recognition for her art, she faces threats, condemnation and humiliation, which makes her consider leaving the country.

The film captures her efforts to organize her first exhibition in Idlib. This experience forces her to confront the harsh reality of a city marked by bombings and male interference. As she organizes drawing classes for women and girls, comforts her little niece, and shares her story with the documentary film crew, Amany's confidence in the future begins to fade.

Behind the Lines is part of the six-part documentary series Draw for Change! by Vincent Coen and Guillaume Vandenberghe talks about six female comic artists from around the world who question the red lines and taboos of their society. The film was, among other things, To be seen in the official competition for documentary series at the Cannes Film Festival in 2023 and at the Swiss Visions du Réel festival.

The film will be shown in Arabic with English subtitles.

Audience discussion in English with Alisar Hasan, one of the film's directors, and Guillaume Vandenberghe, one of the two Creator of the series, following the projection.

A EUNIC event by the Representation of Flanders in Germany (Embassy of Belgium), the Institut français Berlin and the Czech Center Berlin.

More information about the film: https://drawforchangetheseries.com/episodes/episode-1-behind-the-lines.