As an intern at FF2 Media, since January of 2018, I watch films written and/or directed by women every week and write reviews about them.
I am a Philosophy and Cinema Studies major at Rutgers University with a minor in Women & Gender Studies, and a concentration on social justice, made possible through the Leadership Scholars Program at the Institute for Women’s Leadership.
As an Egyptian woman, I see film as a very important medium, through which the voices of the silent can be expressed. I believe that film can, and will, play an important role in changing global perspectives on problematic areas such as the Middle East which is often viewed as nothing but a conflict zone. As FF2’s first Egyptian intern, I have been given the opportunity to explore the world of Anglo-Arabic cinema, which, to my own surprise, extends far beyond the formulaic plots and archetypal characters that I am used to in mainstream films.
Beyond my devotion to and sympathy for socially-motivated cinema, I simply see film as an endlessly innovative art form, where, after more than a hundred years of history, one can still be captivated, emotionally involved, and taken by surprise during their viewing experience. I stick to this belief even more now that I am a part of FF2 Media, since films made by women often offer newer plots, characters, as well as a whole new set of emotions I did not know I could access.
In addition to my internship at FF2 Media, I am also the Program Director at 90.3 The Core FM, an independent radio station that broadcasts from Rutgers University. I monitor broadcasting and ensure that DJs are following FCC rules and guidelines. I have taken it upon myself to write articles regularly for the station’s website — my favorite one being a spotlight on Dalida, a very well-known singer in Europe and the Middle East, whose influence still resonates today.
I am very thankful for the culture FF2 Media has exposed me to thus far. I enjoy working with such talented, knowledgeable people. The feminist in me feels that I am contributing to the support of women artists and women in general with every single review I write.
Here’s my review of The Insult, my favorite foreign feature
Want to know my favorite documentary? Read my review of Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story
