Shadya interview page 5
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Some viewers may see Shadya’s marriage as a threat to her dreams and goals? Is that a fair assessment? Can she “have it all?” What does “having it all” look like in Shadya’s community? |
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DH: The film does show this and with most Muslim women this is the case. However, in reality, Shadya has proven to be a stronger character than her husband. She is training again and hoping to represent Israel again. Can she have it all? We will see. It is very difficult, if not impossible to have it all, in Shadya's community. It is hard enough in our society too.
UK: She can have it all. After having her baby Shadya returned to Karate and according to her coach she is even better then before! Regarding fair assessment--getting married is Shadya's decision. The film is not aiming to judge her or her decisions. Shadya is brave and wise enough to make her decisions and we--the filmmakers or the viewers—have no reason to criticize her or to feel sorry for her decisions. Maybe she is wrong but one does not have to be a 17-year-old Muslim girl to be wrong.
What do you believe is the most important message of this film? When viewers watch SHADYA on PBS, what do you want them to know?
DH: I believe the film is about a woman's conflict between tradition and ambition. This is a universal theme. Women must learn to fight to "have it all."
I would like viewers to know that Israel does accept Arabs in their society even to the extent when they can represent them. Viewers should understand that the Israeli/Arab conflict is very complex.
Also, it is very difficult for a person who has exposure to freedom from a modern western society on one level to follow their ambition when they come from a powerful traditional community with a history of repressing women's freedom.
UK: This is not in our hands where and when we are born. The fact that you were born a Muslim girl in the minority Arabic community in the ever-present-war land of Israel puts you in a very bad position in contrast to the one who had the luck to be born a US citizen. Although, this is not a recipe for happiness or misery, it is a question of who you are and what you are doing with your life with the world you are living in.
Despite the harsh conditions, Shadya is paving her own way in life, reaching achievements. How many of us have achieved a world-record? She serves as a model to many other Arab youngsters. Above all Shadya is happy with her life. This is the message of the film.
copyright 2006 Community Cinema-DC
