Film Analysis: Displacement Narratives by Shahrbanoo Sadat and Maryna Er Gorbach Delve into the compelling stories of displacement as portrayed in the films of Shahrbanoo Sadat and Maryna Er Gorbach. Their cinematic works uniquely capture the emotional and social complexities of individuals navigating the challenges of displacement, offering profound insights into human resilience and cultural identity.
The International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) is spotlighting filmmakers who address displacement and conflict. This year, Afghan filmmaker Shahrbanoo Sadat and Ukrainian director Maryna Er Gorbach are among the featured voices. Both artists are sharing personal narratives that reflect the pressing issues of migration and global unrest.
Next month, Sadat’s film, No Good Men, will open the Berlin Film Festival. This follows the world premiere of her short film Super Afghan Gym at the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR). Additionally, Er Gorbach’s short film, Rotation, also premiered at the festival.
Both filmmakers received support from the Displacement Film Fund, an initiative launched by Cate Blanchett and the IFFR. This fund aims to assist directors displaced by conflict, providing grants of €100,000 (approximately $120,000) to five selected filmmakers.
In her 12-minute film, Rotation, Maryna Er Gorbach portrays the complex journey of a young Ukrainian woman who transitions from civilian life to becoming a soldier amid Russia’s invasion. The narrative explores her struggle to adapt to a new reality marked by loss and trauma. Er Gorbach highlights that this story is grounded in her understanding of displacement, examining how individuals navigate their altered lives.
Er Gorbach’s research reveals that many soldiers contend with profound feelings of guilt and sorrow stemming from their inability to save comrades during conflict. The therapeutic hypnosis scenes in the film provide a deep exploration of emotional, rather than physical, displacement, resonating significantly with audiences.
In casting for Rotation, director Maryna Er Gorbach prioritized more than mere acting ability. She sought individuals capable of authentically portraying the film’s narrative. Ultimately, journalist Nadiia Karpova was selected for the lead role. Karpova’s unique background as both a war reporter and a former actress reflects the film’s exploration of the rotation between various realities, mirroring her own experiences on the front lines.
Shahrbanoo Sadat’s film, Super Afghan Gym, explores the lives of women in Kabul who seek refuge in a local gym. The film reveals how these women train in secret and share personal challenges away from societal scrutiny. This project holds special significance for Sadat, who experienced double displacement. Her family fled Afghanistan during the Soviet invasion, and she later faced discrimination as an Afghan-born individual in Iran.
Shahrbanoo Sadat reflects on her childhood experiences with racism and identity crisis, highlighting how these experiences have shaped her perception of belonging. She recalls being labeled as ‘Afghan’ while living in Iran, despite not having visited Afghanistan until later. Upon returning to Afghanistan, she faced the opposite situation, being identified as ‘Iranian.’ This complex journey of identity forms the foundation of her artistic expression.
For Sadat, film serves as a cathartic medium that allows her to explore her own identity as well as the complexities of those around her. The Super Afghan Gym project invites audiences to examine their own perceptions of identity and the challenges faced by women, particularly in restrictive environments.
Following the release of her film, Shahrbanoo Sadat encountered mixed reactions on social media. Some Afghan men criticized her portrayal of women in gyms, alleging that she misrepresented their experiences. Conversely, many women expressed solidarity, sharing their own secret visits to gyms since the Taliban’s takeover. They emphasized the small joys they hold onto amid increasing restrictions.
Sadat and Er Gorbach’s films serve as more than artistic expressions; they are vital reminders of the challenges faced by displaced individuals today. Both filmmakers utilize their platforms to confront stereotypes and amplify narratives often neglected in mainstream cinema.
The International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) continues to showcase such stories, underscoring the significance of cinema as a tool for advocacy, fostering understanding, and building connections among diverse audiences.