December 9 2024
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The Alleys is the talk of the town. Here is what the director has to say
Israa Radaydeh, Jordan News
last updated:
Jan 16,2023
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AMMAN— The Alleys, or
Al-Hara, recently hit Netflix, welcoming praise and disapproval for its
dramatized representation of a claustrophobically tight-knit neighborhood in
East Amman. اضافة اعلان
The film explores the niche details
of life, where gossip and violence run rampant, it was operated largely by a
local Jordanian filming crew.
Before Netflix, the film screened in
local theaters had some scenes omitted for explicit language. Despite the cuts,
the screenings generated a good turnout.
Director Bassel Ghandour, who co-wrote
and co-produced the Oscar-nominated film Theeb, spoke to Jordan News about
the Alleys and its importance, here is what he said.
The journeyPrior to The Alleys, Ghandour wrote
and directed a short thriller titled Freekeh, which was released in 2019.
The short film did not garner the
attention of the other two films, however many credited it as a stepping stone
to Ghandour’s longer film.
“The film is built on a reality. We took those characters and dramatized them and gave them a commercial edge. Some were a bit exaggerated, but the stories and dynamics are representatives of the truth,”
“It (Freekeh) allowed me to learn more about
the people of the neighborhood, especially how they live,” he said.
“The film opened a door to the lives
of people living in the neighborhood. It gave me insight to develop the story and
its characters. It allowed us to build the setting of the story.”
Freekeh’s storyline follows Ramy, a
teen, and his confrontation with a local gangster, touching on similar topic to
The Alleys.
Despite the similarities in setting
between Freekeh and The Alleys, there was quite the genre switch between The
Alleys and Theeb.
However, according to Ghandour, the
films required the same process. “In both, I wanted to discover and learn about
an environment and living reality I was not super familiar with.”
“I was attracted to the Bedouin
lifestyle, and I was also drawn to the social structure of living in a
neighborhood setting.”
“Both offer a type of social
affinity and generate curiosity” for viewers, he added.
In terms of themes, Ghandour wanted
to focus on exploring control mechanisms and power dynamics and the role of the
strongest and most influential amongst the population he is presenting.
“I wanted to dig deeper”, he added.
‘Does not represent us’The Alleys, divided viewers,
especially in the Kingdom.
Some viewers lauded its “accurate
take”, while others criticized it for presenting a “false representation” of
Jordanian society.
Others were also displeased with the
use of obscene language.
While researching the film, Ghandour
stated that it was based on reality.
“During the research phase me and Mahmoud
Abu Farha — who lives in a neighborhood like the one we presented — spent hours
walking between the alleys and listening to people’s stories.”
“The film is built on a reality. We
took those characters and dramatized them and gave them a commercial edge. Some
were a bit exaggerated, but the stories and dynamics are representatives of the
truth,” he said.
“Those who say this film ‘does not represent
us’, do not know reality," he added.
“This is not to say that this film represents every Arab neighborhood ever. But events like this do happen. Whether blackmail or taking prying videos, these are events concurrent to daily life.”
“This is not to say that this film
represents every Arab neighborhood ever. But events like this do happen.
Whether blackmail or taking prying videos, these are events concurrent to daily
life.”
CensorshipRated 18+ on Netflix, the film does
include obscene language and violent scenes. During public screenings, some
scenes were removed.
“I personally prefer to display the
film as is, without any censorship. However, if authorities decide to censor the
film, we will work based on the country and its laws.”
The words used however, are not “far
from reality,” he said. “These words we hear daily across the Arab world.”
“But if we have to censor, we will.
We want people to see and enjoy the film.”
Ghandour also pointed out that it is
not only art, whether written or presented, that faces suppression. Rather these
are parts of larger efforts related to a pattern of pressure being brought
against education, the press, film, and television.
Such efforts do not actually
suppress expression, he added. Instead, they cast a shadow of fear, which leads
to voluntary curtailment of expression by those who seek to avoid controversy.
“The arts cannot thrive in a climate
of fear,” he added.
The Alleys is currently available on
Netflix.
This interview was conducted by
Jordan News during the Red Sea Film Festival in December 2021.