Filmmaker Cherien Dabis discussed with Fast Company the difficulties she faced in bringing a Palestinian story to the screen. Despite her warm and graceful demeanor, Dabis highlighted the significant challenges in securing traditional financing for such projects. She explained that conventional funding sources often fall short when it comes to stories that deviate from mainstream narratives, particularly those centered on Palestinian experiences. Dabis’s insights shed light on the broader issue of representation in the film industry and the barriers that filmmakers encounter when trying to tell diverse stories. Her experience underscores the need for more inclusive financing options that support a wider range of voices and perspectives in cinema.
QUESTION: Why do you think it is important for the film industry to support diverse stories like those of Palestinian experiences?
Hollywood was too afraid to distribute this movie. So the director built her own company and did it herself
