Al Reem Al Beshr on the Art of Filmmaking and its Wonders
Al Reem Al Beshr is a 17-year-old Emirati filmmaker who strives to convey powerful messages disguised in uplifting, colorful visuals. With life as an asset to her creative arsenal, she hopes to arouse a feeling unique to each person in the audience as they observe her films. At a young age, Al Reem has enchanted crowds with the inimitable content she creates. Not only are her films magical, but they also bring forth personal reflections, profound notions, and complex symbols. Through her brilliant films and ideas, she challenges mainstream content and touches the hearts of many.
In the summer of 2019, Al Reem and I met on New York University Abu Dhabi’s campus, where we were both attending a summer program. Ever since then, we bonded over shared high school troubles, college matters, and so much more. The first film of hers I came across was Virginia’s Destiny, which left me in awe, heartache and tears. Al Reem continued to showcase her films through posts on her social media platforms, and after watching her most recent film, In a World of One’s Own, I knew I had to learn more about her creative process.
We sat together via Zoom in the beginning of Ramadan, and had a chit chat about the nature of her work. I think her story is something that everyone needs to hear.
Visual courtesy of Al Reem Al Beshr.
SHAYMA: Describe Al Reem in the very beginning of her creative journey: what was she like, how did she change, and what did she learn?
AL REEM: My creative journey began when I was very little, I can’t pinpoint a certain age. I do remember however, that ever since I was a child, I was a storyteller. I would use up my free time to write stories, read them aloud to my family members, and even talk to my made-up characters (For example: Miss Pinky Chatterbox). Since I was the eldest child and my siblings were way younger than me, I kind of confided in my own characters.
When I turned nine years old, my father gave me a tiny blue iPod for my birthday, and that’s when I gravitated towards an app called Video Fx. I started transforming my tiny silly skits into visuals and home movies. Every Friday, I remember my cousins would come over and we would create a movie based upon my stories. We later would excitedly showcase the product to my grandparents and aunts.
I was a very vulnerable person back then. I viewed film as a separate entity from myself; it was just a mere hobby to me. I didn’t like who I was at the time, so I made films that weren’t associated with me. Additionally, I cared a lot about what people thought of me and what they would say about my work. I didn’t believe in who I was or the art I made, I even felt guilty calling myself a filmmaker.
“Now, every film I make has bits and pieces from my life, personality, and mind. Without these personal elements that I sprinkle on my films, I wouldn’t know how to make one. Through storytelling and filmmaking, I wrote my own story, one that features a more confident version of myself.”
Visual courtesy of Al Reem Al Beshr.
Recently, however, I’ve started publishing my films on Instagram and YouTube. Gradually, I became intertwined with the matter of film and made it my own. Now I can say that I am defined by it, and I love that I am! I think as my passion for it increased, I began believing in myself and the content I create more. My films convey messages that matter to me on a personal level. Matters that I feel strongly about. Now, every film I make has bits and pieces from my life, personality, and mind. Without these personal elements that I sprinkle on my films, I wouldn’t know how to make one. Through storytelling and filmmaking, I wrote my own story, one that features a more confident version of myself.
Paradoxically, I always used film to escape real life and the world. However, in the present, I learn to appreciate life more through films. I now view life as an asset to my creative arsenal. Every moment, whether it be good or bad, I feel intensely. I am able to comprehend these moments because they allow me to portray raw, authentic feelings in my films.
In addition, I learned a lot about who I am and what I care about through filmmaking. So, I’d say that through storytelling, I have learned to weave myself a story starring the best version of myself that I haven’t yet reached. Now, I can take a compliment and not feel guilty about it because I have learned to embrace myself and believe in my work. The content I create matters to me, and that’s the most important thing.
SHAYMA: As a filmmaker and director, what feelings do you hope to arouse in your audience? What themes do you resort to in order to achieve this?
AL REEM: I want my films to be a safe space, a refuge, a sort of embracing hug to every viewer. I want to arouse a feeling unique to each individual in the audience. Generally speaking, I want to induce nostalgia and euphoria, I want people to feel like they are on top of the world by reconnecting with their childhood selves, and walking down memory lane longing for a memory they might have forgotten.
I’d say the themes that I resort to are nostalgia, childhood reminiscence, memories, feminism, and mental health.
SHAYMA: A film of yours I’ve enjoyed is Virginia’s Destiny, could you describe the creative process behind it?
Visual courtesy of Al Reem Al Beshr.
AL REEM: Originally, I was sitting in English class with my friend Mahra when our teacher announced that she wanted someone to make a presentation about Virginia Woolf. Mahra and I raised our hands intuitively… we kind of had an obligation to do so since Virginia Woolf is our favourite writer of all time.
Deep down, I was thinking that I was not going to buy into that presentation. Me being me, I knew I had to do something extravagant to honor the woman that she is, and to also have fun in the process! What a lot of people know is that she was a writer, however, not all of them know that she suffered much in terms of her mental well-being. So, I wanted to showcase the other side of her. I also wanted to keep the film as light and uplifting as possible, and so I resorted to inserting hidden meanings or little easter eggs here and there.
In the opening scene—where you can see a typewriter, a heart-shaped box, and a bunch of flowers—the viewer can see that this woman was loved. Despite that, she was saying her goodbyes and was writing her suicide letter… I believe that this scene was very powerful, as it is important to showcase this emotion and not just tell.
Throughout the film, you can also see that Virginia Woolf—or the actress Mahra—is tying things together to have a sense of control over her life. There are recurring scenes of her tying her shoelaces and coat to have one last sense of control. When she walks into the water, everything is once again untied.
Producing this, I edited all the footage in one sitting because I was excited to see how it would turn out! That’s when I realized that I am doing this because I want to, not because my English teacher said so. I thought: “Okay, I really am passionate about this and I need to pursue it.”
Finally, I made sure to make the film as uplifting as possible to stress that mental health is not a taboo, instead it is something that we should all be talking about.
“In addition, I learned a lot about who I am and what I care about through filmmaking. So, I’d say that through storytelling, I have learned to weave myself a story starring the best version of myself that I haven’t yet reached. Now, I can take a compliment and not feel guilty about it because I have learned to embrace myself and believe in my work. The content I create matters to me, and that’s the most important thing.”
Visual courtesy of Al Reem Al Beshr.
SHAYMA: Your film A World of One’s Own has spectacular visuals, did you face any difficulties assembling them/bringing them to life?
AL REEM: A World of One’s Own came about at 3 AM, when I glanced at my bookshelf and saw my older books, the sight of them set me reflecting on better times. It occurred to me that the characters in these books are living in a corona-free world, a place I’d really want to escape to at the moment. Right there, I decided to turn this thought into a film the next day.
I think the hardest part was directing my siblings—they’re so stubborn! Other than that, I find it hard to transform my ideas and the image I have into reality with limited resources. Overall, it was very fun… I kind of slipped into a world of my own while shooting A World of One’s Own.
SHAYMA: Why does this medium stand out to you in particular? Are there things film can do that other mediums can’t?
AL REEM: I think the reason I am attracted to this medium is because it combines everything I am fascinated with: art, literature, writing, music. It also has the ability to impact, as it appeals to our senses. Through film, you are able to see, feel and hear. Additionally, a mere feeling can drive a person to great heights! It’s lovely how we can all sit down in theaters and experience each other’s worlds.
The second reason film stands out to me is because I see it as a form of therapy. Whenever I have an issue I’m struggling with I transform it into a film, I think it’s my way of ranting! In this way, I make myself feel better and boost my mental health while also reaching out to an audience that probably relates to my struggles. Either way, it’s a victory and makes me feel less alone.
I feel like there’s beauty in revealing your vulnerabilities and having people relate to them, creating an emotional connection.
SHAYMA: I am very curious about the books, stories or films that helped construct your imagination, would you mind enlightening us with some?
AL REEM: Sure! My father and I have this thing where we watch a film every Friday and analyze it until the crack of dawn sometimes. I think this activity influenced me immensely and helped with my imagination. I’d say that I am a work of all my favourite works… I adapt a few aspects from my favourite works (Parasite, The Beaches of Agnes, La La Land, The Grand Budapest Hotel) while preserving my personal touch.
SHAYMA: The films you’ve made have filled us with joy, made us cry, smile, and even sparked nostalgia! How do your films make you feel?
AL REEM: Thank you, glad to hear that! My films make me feel something different every day honestly, but for the most part, they make me feel so powerful… Like I am the greatest. I also feel purposeful, I feel like I have reached the epitome of euphoria honestly. They also comfort me and remind me of who I am when I feel small.
SHAYMA: Finally, what words do you associate your films with?
AL REEM: Personal, poetic, and nostalgic. I resort to thought-provoking scenes as well so I’d say that. Finally, light and heartfelt… I always strive for my films to turn out that way.
Visual courtesy of Al Reem Al Beshr.
Interviewed by Shayma AlHarthi
Film Poster Visual by Abeer (@withlove__bee)
To stay up-to-date with Al Reem’s films and creations, be sure to follow her on Instagram and to subscribe to her Youtube channel.