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Episode 177 [in English]: Raed Rafei

Raed Rafei is a Lebanese filmmaker, researcher, and multimedia journalist, currently pursuing a PhD in film and digital media at the University of California, Santa Cruz. It was a joy to have Raed back on the podcast after meeting him at the exhibit Mark for Redaction 3(!) years ago!

We discussed Raed’s academic research on queer Lebanese filmmakers, focusing on perspectives that go beyond frameworks of identity politics and individual rights, and see queer communities at the forefront of broader political change. 

We also talked about his first feature film “The Reconstitution of a Struggle” about the 1974 student occupation of the American University of Beirut, and his docu-fiction approach creates a dialogue between past and present. He also describes one of his current projects exploring his native Tripoli from a queer lens, investigating popular ideas of “the natural,” and identifying the beauty in failure. 

We also discuss transitioning into the arts after more “practical” career plans, being away from home during the pandemic period, and more.

https://film.ucsc.edu/people/raed_el_rafe

Raed’s feature film (Here I am … Here you are) can be viewed on www.shashamovies.com.

To watch Raed’s essay Al-Atlal (The Ruins):  https://www.crypto-fiction.com/distribution
To read Raed’s essay Fragments of Shame and Pride: https://www.thecommononline.org/fragments-of-shame-and-pride/

 

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Episode 152: Mloukhiyyé

Mloukhiyyé is a Beirut-based artist working with pixel art, text, video games, drag and more! They discussed their past and future projects, including illustrations of performers in and around the Lebanese drag scene, video games that reflect social and environmental issues, an illustrated book about Lebanese queer slang, and a piece involving Tatreez and Lebanese herbs. 

We also talked about their journey into queer identity, why they chose the mloukhiyye leaf as their namesake, pronouns in Arabic, misogyny and homophobia within gaming circles, why queer people like Animal Crossing, and more!

Shoutout to some of the artists and organizations mentioned in this episode:

@havenforartists

@tatreezandtea

@swana.ancestral

@alexa_milano

@dancingqueerofficial

@anamasreyaxo

 

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