Revolutionaries Never Die": A Tribute to Jocelyne Saab's Filmmaking Legacy
"Revolutionaries Never Die" emerged victorious at the recent Cairo Film Connection, a part of the Cairo Film Festival. The film, helmed by Palestinian director Mohanad Yaqubi, delves into the early filmmaking years of Lebanese director Jocelyne Saab. Yaqubi, who hails from various Middle Eastern countries and now resides in Belgium, collaborated with researcher Mathilde Rouxel, Saab's former assistant, to bring this project to life.
Yaqubi's inspiration for the film stemmed from a personal tragedy in Gaza, which resonated with Saab's work during the tumultuous years of 1973 to 1983. The project aims to shed light on the struggles faced by politically engaged filmmakers like Saab and their impact on the Palestinian cause. Despite his skepticism about the transformative power of cinema in today's political landscape, Yaqubi remains committed to preserving and sharing these historical narratives.
While Yaqubi never had the chance to meet Saab in person, her films from the '70s and '80s continue to captivate audiences with their exploration of the Arab left and the changing socio-political landscape of the region. By revisiting these archives, Yaqubi hopes to engage Palestinians in a dialogue about their shared history and challenges. The film's showcase at the Cairo Film Connection underscores the importance of reaching Arab audiences and fostering meaningful conversations about the past and present realities of the region.