Private Project

HOME

Through poetry and thought, we explore the challenges of uprootedness, alienation, and identity reconstruction in a migratory context. With refined aesthetics and references to Mahmoud Darwish, this work examines the preservation of roots in the face of xenophobia and racism, offering a profound reflection on resilience and humanity.

  • Mohammed Dabani
    Director
  • Mohammed Dabani
    Writer
  • Khadija Belkaid
    Producer
  • Taoufik Dabani
    Producer
  • Project Type:
    Experimental, Short
  • Runtime:
    5 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    March 19, 2022
  • Production Budget:
    10,000 EUR
  • Country of Origin:
    Belgium
  • Country of Filming:
    Belgium
  • Language:
    Arabic
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Festival à Films Ouverts
    Brussels
    Belgium
    March 20, 2023
    Belgium premiere
    Jury mention
Director Biography - Mohammed Dabani

Mohammed Dabani was born in Morocco and grew up in the UK. He studied media and television at London College and took a degree in filmmaking at Goldsmiths College. In 2002 he taught filmmaking to young people at Youth Culture Television (YCTV), and in 2007 he worked at BBC Wales in Cardiff as an assistant producer in digital platforms. He currently lives in Brussels, where he has directed several short films and documentaries, including "Fatima, une vie de militante" in 2022, "Home" in 2020, "Salima" in 2018, "Lost" in 2016, and "Storyteller" in 2015.

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Director Statement

As an immigrant who has lived in four different countries, I feel a profound need to explore the concept of "home" and the meaning of "belonging". With deep poetic sensitivity, this short film delves into themes of uprooting and the arduous process of rebuilding oneself after exile or migration. Infused with the evocative words of poet Mahmoud Darwish, the narrative reflects the struggle to preserve one’s roots, language, and identity while attempting to create a sense of home and intimacy within often unwelcoming systems.
The film also confronts the alienation experienced during migratory journeys and the systemic violence that perpetuates feelings of displacement. It examines how we define ourselves in the face of xenophobia and racism, weaving together a story of resilience and the search for selfhood amidst adversity. Through a delicate aesthetic and emotional precision, this work invites audiences to reflect on the universal quest for belonging in a world that can feel both oppressive and indifferent. It is a cinematic exploration of survival, humanity, and the timeless yearning for connection.