Watching Syrian Director Mohammad Malass Ahlam Al-Madina (Dreams of the City) released in 1983- staged in one of Damascuss popular neighborhoods, and within the context of the coup détats that took place faster than you can spell COUP in Syria in the 1950s. It is amazing how subversive Syrian Artists in general- but particularly film makers- managed to be under the iron grip of the bloody Junta that ruled us ver since. It is also beautiful to see Damascus, the very vivid characters of this film, interacting in a way freed from the suffocating Nationalist Chauvinist Nostalgia that is so present within more recent productions- of course in no way comparable in Calibre. Damascus is Popular- Damascuss enemies are not only the Foreigners but the Chauvinist- Damascus is Communist, Baathist, Arab nationalist- Its men are more often than not ugly and oppressive. The film is (poorly) subtitled in French- But is a very interesting watch: and to Arab speakers: I found it symbolicaly ironic when the Soldiers pass by and ask (about the same Flag today which is the flag of the revolution): ولا!!!! ليش ما علقت العلم لحد هلق؟؟؟؟ وين معلمك؟؟ يالله يالله جاي.... لح نعلقوا.... بس بعتت الولد ليفصلوا خشبة..... بدي إرجع و شوفو معلق!!!! ولا بعلق..... youtube/watch?v=ymigUE5Iymc
Posted on: Sun, 10 Nov 2013 21:43:27 +0000
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