In a society that systematically demolishes concepts of home including; people, land and histories, it is radical to tell stories.
Memory
The tradition of storytelling has become a tool of resilience, resistance, and repair. Our histories have survived through memory. Through remembrance we transcend our displacement. We can reclaim narratives and restore collective truth, if we choose to remember."
Every day we tell stories. From the moment we wake up, till the moment we fall asleep. We are all moving images. Through the accumulation of experiences and the formulation of memories: our sense of self is born. This makes what we consume and create symbiotically connected to perception. What ways can we archive our living memories?
#Flip the Gaze
Images from time capsule films created in Vigilant Love's Solidarity Arts Fellowship "Flipping the Gaze" workshop. Directed by S.A.F Fellows.
restorative filmmaking techniques
Building from the work of Philip Butler to unpack: What happens when we take technology such as the camera, which were historically used to oppress communities through surveillance of the harmful tropes of mainstream media, to flip the gaze and reclaim historical perspective that would otherwise be erased?What does a Muslim Future look like when we are the ones holding the camera?
Co-Authored by Kausar Mohammed
Describe your image
Describe your image
Stills from SFFILM 2022 Schools at the Festivals. Featuring Ms. Bowmans Women and Gender Studies Classroom (George Washington High School).
Flipping the Gaze Flip Book
Flip book coming soon. Click on images to download zine.
resistance through self-portraiture
Given how we remember ourselves is pivotal to our healing, my films use memory to create a counter/contra gaze that un-censors the imagination, de-internalize surveillance, and mirrors our infinite reflection.
The Family Album
Belonging through Belongings
We discuss archival repair through the family album. What records were passed down to you? What photos do you still look at every day? What's in your family album?
When we are only taught one history, we learn to devalue our personal histories and experience. Much like Amina discovers her mothers music collection to unlock who she is, our histories live inside our homes. Through family photos and record albums we preserve our family's archives.
the things they wore, the stories they carry
The garments passed down to us reflect stories of migration. What do you wear today that belonged to your parents? What stories do they carry?