“It’s not about your technical skills, it’s not about how much money you can throw into a film, it’s not about any of that,” Joud AlAmri declares. “It’s about what are you saying and is it resonating with anybody else?”

By Melina Costello

In Episode 38 of Unsugarcoated with Aalia, host Aalia Lanius, is joined by Joud AlAmri, a Saudi Arbian film director, screenwriter, and producer with a background in photography and design. Born with a passion for writing and storytelling, AlAmri found filmmaking to be the ideal way to merge these interests. Growing up in Saudi Arabia, however, there was an expectation to pursue a traditional career, such a doctor, engineer or architect. 

“Filmmaking is just unheard of, especially for a female,” AlAmri expresses. Luckily, her father was supportive of her desire to break down this barrier, telling her, “If you found what you’re passionate about, go for it.”

Like many other creatives, AlAmri was given the advice to write about her own experiences and observations––what she knew, understood and empathized with. With this advice, AlAmri shares, “I realized that I could do much more than make cool films. I could actually say something. There can be a message behind it.”

“Since then I took a lot of pride in using my heritage and my background and infusing that into my stories,” AlAmri continues. Aalia, also a Muslim and the award-winning author of Jugend, understands AlAmri’s motives, stating, “We’re changing the narrative and letting people into our world.”

In one of her early short films, Belonging, AlAmri utilized her confusion over being torn between two worlds to find her place and spark a conversation. “What I had been exposed to and the type of media I was consuming throughout my childhood was all Western, and it was all what I was aspiring to achieve. Those were the standards that you have to get to to be the best… That’s what you’re conditioned to believe because it’s just all around you. No one tells you that there’s a little sweet spot in the middle of accepting both of them,” AlAmri shares, referring to the fusion of Western and Eastern cultures.

Although she thought she had seen herself represented in Western media, AlAmri expresses that the first time she truly felt represented and understood what representation looked like was when watching Ramy, an American comedy-drama series released in 2019. Ramy Youssef, the show’s creator, is shattering misconceptions and increasing the representation of American Muslims in the film industry.  The show won the 2020 Peabody Award and Youssef won the Golden Globe for Best Actor.

“Ramy just normalizes [Arab characters in film] and presents it as not a big deal. It’s not something that we have to dissect and discuss and debate about. It just is what it is,” AlAmri explains. While watching Ramy, AlAmri felt, “This is exactly what I’ve been trying to do and this is exactly the kind of content I want to make, and [Youssef] is telling me that this is very much possible.” 

AlAmri touches on the fact that Ramy is a comedy, stating, “Something that Arabs don’t really get a lot of credit for is that we’re very very funny.” She adds, “Even though we are discriminated against and a lot of people find our ways weird or abnormal, we get that and we’re not oblivious to it and we can have a sense of humor about it.” 

On the impact of films that capture intimate interactions between Arabs, Aalia articulates, “What I think is important is that people do take the time to consume this content and open up their eyes and imagination to the possibility that we’re so much more alike than we actually think we are.”

Youssef is an inspiration for Arab filmmakers and is providing both Arabs and Muslims with a show that makes them feel seen. “If it’s a big deal to me [to feel represented in Ramy], imagine what it can do for a thirteen year old girl now.” However, Aalia and AlAmri address the issue of feeling like, as Muslims and creatives, they must represent the entire muslim community.

“We really shouldn’t be carrying that weight of representing because you don’t have to be Middle Eastern to be Muslim,” AlAmri declares. “We’re all different,” Aalia adds. “Very different,” AlAmri responds, later continuing, “so it doesn’t really add up for me when we’re looking at one specific person––because they’re in the spotlight––to represent an entire religion that is so complex.”

“I think the best that I could do, or the best that any creative could do, is really just to speak honestly,” says AlAmri. Taking on the role of representing one’s entire community is overwhelming, exhausting and, not to mention an impossible feat. All one needs to do is stay Unsugarcoated!

“Every piece of media has a message, just not always a good message,” Aalia states, which is why she and AlAmri strive to create socially conscious content rooted in genuine honesty. They agree that the difficult conversations are the ones that need to be had, and by acknowledging and addressing these topics, people begin to feel more comfortable and connected.

CHECK OUT THE FULL EPISODE NOW:

To learn more about Joud AlAmri’s work, check out her website: jalamri.com or her instagram: @jalamri

For more information on Unsugarcoated Media or your award-winning host, go to www.UnsugarcoatedMedia.com and stay connected with Aalia on IG: @aalia_unsugarcoated

Sending a huge thank you to House of Kings Card Club for supporting Unsugarcoated Media and non-profit organizations! #ElPasoStrong