Here’s a bold statement: the Western world isn’t just missing out on Arab stories—it needs them. And this is the part most people miss: these narratives aren’t just enriching; they’re essential for a more nuanced, empathetic global perspective. At the Red Sea Film Festival, acclaimed French actor Juliette Binoche (https://variety.com/t/juliette-binoche/) drove this point home during a panel discussion organized by Kering’s Women in Motion initiative. Binoche, who was both an honoree and presenter of her directorial debut In-I in Motion, praised Arab filmmakers Cherien Dabis (https://variety.com/t/cherien-dabis/) and Shahad Ameen (https://variety.com/t/shahad-ameen/) for their groundbreaking work. “In the Western world,” she emphasized, “we need to hear stories like yours.”
But here’s where it gets controversial: while Binoche celebrated the courage of Arab filmmakers, she also hinted at the Western world’s historical oversight of these voices. Speaking to Ameen, the Saudi director behind Hijra, Binoche marveled at her journey: “When a young woman from your country watches a film and decides to direct, it’s amazing. You’re so courageous. It’s remarkable.” This moment wasn’t just about praise—it was a call to action for the West to listen more intently.
The panel, the first-ever “Kering | Women in Motion” event at the Red Sea Film Festival, was preceded by a stirring speech from Kering’s chief brand officer, Laurent Claquin. Reflecting on the initiative’s 10-year journey since its launch in Cannes, he noted, “Being in Jeddah is meaningful and inspiring. The Red Sea Film Festival has become more than an event—it’s a platform for creativity and bold expression, where artists from the region and beyond bring their stories to life.”
The conversation dove into the directors’ latest works, with Binoche sharing how her directorial debut was inspired by none other than Robert Redford. After watching her stage show In-I in New York, Redford urged her to turn it into a film. Seventeen years later, her documentary premiered at the San Sebastian Film Festival, a testament to perseverance.
Dabis, whose drama All That’s Left of You premiered at Sundance, discussed her mission to tell untold stories. “I wanted to explore what happened to Palestinians in 1948 during the Nakba,” she explained. “The impact of displacement and occupation continues today, and Western media often dehumanizes Palestinians. This film was my way of honoring them.” But is the West ready to confront these narratives head-on? Or will they remain marginalized in mainstream discourse?
Ameen’s journey felt full-circle, as she credited Dabis’s trailblazing work for inspiring her own career. “I saw Amreeka in film school and was immediately hooked,” Ameen shared. “There weren’t enough films telling our stories, and your work made me ask: What can I do in the future?” Her film Hijra, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival, is now making waves back home in Saudi Arabia.
“Saudi Arabia is the most exciting place on the planet to make films right now,” Ameen declared. “You can do whatever you want. There’s a place for every voice. I dislike it when Saudi filmmakers try to copy American films. Be yourself, be weird, be odd—someone will recognize it.” Binoche’s response? “Go for it, baby! We’re waiting!”
But here’s the question: Are Western audiences truly ready to embrace these stories, or will they remain on the periphery of global cinema? Let’s keep the conversation going—what do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
