Amman Filmmakers Cooperative

Profiles of Jordanian Filmmakers

Yahya Abdallah

August 9, 2005

What did you study in college?
I studied Arabic literature then I specialized in comparative analysis in my masters program. I have written a book titled Alienation: An Analytical Study of Taher Ben Jalloun's Fictional Characters.

What was the first film you produced ever? When?
I made my first short film with the Amman Filmmakers Cooperative, in 2003, called Family-sized Middle East, about George W. Bush's Greater Middle East vision, using the concept of family-sized products and how we will save so much from Bush's plan .

What was the last job you had right before you produced your first major film?
I was an Arabic Language Teacher at the Amman Baccalaureate School.

When was your first encounter with filmmaking?
It was about 5 years ago. My love for literature and the arts put me on a path which led me to my love for cinema and filmmaking.

When was the turning point at which you realized you have a special interest in filmmaking?
There was no turning point; there was a gradual accumulation of knowledge which in itself led me to this path subconsciously.

What is it that attracts you to filmmaking?
There are many issues that need to be talked about in the Arab world. In my opinion, the Arab world is a good place to produce films. There are so many untold stories that have not been told cinematically. Not to mention the great Arab tales that still have not been turned into films.

How did your family deal with your decision to make a career change into filmmaking?
My family has no particular interest in cinema but they have supported my decision to move into this direction.

What does filmmaking mean to you?
Filmmaking is about finding myself, it's about self-fulfillment. I find myself in my films.

How often do you find yourself discarding a script or a film concept because of your fear of negative consequences? Explain?
Honestly I don't care whether the audience accepts or rejects an idea; I care to offer something new. Pleasing the audience is goal that is unachievable. My short documentary Six Minutes left a negative impression on some people but a different impression on others. Same for Oliver Stone's Nixon, a film which did not have popular appeal but I consider it to be one of his best films. Same happened to director Stanley Kubric, who is considered one of the most important directors in modern history.

Who is a filmmaker? Can anyone become a filmmaker?
Anyone with a story and a vision. In addition to the determination to succeed and to overcome failure. In that sense, filmmaking is very challenging.

Do you find technology liberating or limiting, when it comes to the creative process?
It's a support mechanism. The capable director can employ technology in support of his/her vision. As for special effects, I don't care much for their use. I prefer a pure frame reflecting the real world. This is true at least in drama production - my field of interest.

How many film ideas do you juggle before you arrive at one that you decide will drive your script for the next film?
There are many competing ideas in my mind, some can be developed and turned into a script. But I don't rely on ideas and situations that have been part of my personal experience; I rely on stories written by established authors such as Yousef Idriss, Aziz Nisin, Zakaria Tamir, and others in their league.

When determining the "production value" of your film, do you rely mostly on your own assessment or do you seek the opinion of others? Why?
I rely on the opinion of both, but at the end I will have to rely on my own judgment.

Are you a structured filmmaker or do you approach filmmaking organically? Do you plan everything in advance or do you like to explore and experiment on location?
I believe in putting things in writing. If the script is not prepared and you don't have a carefully prepared shooting script you will run into difficulties on location.

How important are film festivals to your sense of accomplishment?
They are very important, especially to meet with others in the same field. During my visit to Aljazeera and Rotterdam Arab film festivals, I have met important filmmakers from allover the Arab world and have been introduced to so many films and film critics.

Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?
On stage claiming the Oscars for best foreign film.

Which Arab filmmaker do you see as representing the contemporary face of Arab cinema?
Osama Fawzi, Daoud Abdilsayed, Yusri Nassrallah.

What is your opinion of Arab cinema presently?
I am unhappy with what I see on the commercial cinema front, especially low-quality "comedy" films. Same is true for Arab songs. At the same time, I am happy impressive quality of the Moroccan film such as "Ali Zawa" and how far some independent filmmakers have come.