RUN(A)WAY ARAB (2017)

 

Written/directed by the brilliant Amrou Al-Kadhi (http://www.unitedagents.co.uk/amrou-al-kadhi) - filmmaker & drag performer. 

 

Queen Za Dream, a 26 year old Middle Eastern drag queen, is preparing for a show with the utmost gravity, with an outfit evocative of an Egyptian deity. Nazeem is a gender-queer 8 year-old boy, who has a close bond with his Iraqi-Egyptian mother, Halima. Whilst flamboyant and in many ways a drag queen herself on the surface, Halima is governed by the strict expectations of gender in Arab society.

 

When a young Nazeem transgresses these boundaries, Halima reacts in a way that is utterly confusing to him. Only though his drag, as Queen Za Dream, is the adult Nazeem able to keep sacred the memories of his mother before this painful moment, and hold on to their connection.

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LONDON SHORT FILM FESTIVAL 2018

BFI FLARE FESTIVAL 2018

NEWFEST FILM FESTIVAL 2018

FRINGE! FILM FESTIVAL 2018

UNDERWIRE 2018

MELBOURNE QUEER FILM FESTIVAL 2019

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Behind the scenes photos by Tess Mickleburgh: http://www.tessmickleburgh.com/