BCM115
In my project, I wanted to visually and emotionally convey the complex journey of displacement, family, and resilience through the medium of poetry and film. The poem “Where I’m From” is deeply personal, reflecting my experiences and memories across different cultures, while the video captures the essence of these transitions and the emotions tied to them.
Personal Approach
The poem is inspired by my cultural background and the memories of Yemen, Djibouti, Pakistan, and Dubai. The first verse, “I’m from my dad’s voice saying Itni habibti ya Sakankan,” reflects the intimate family interactions that have shaped my identity, while the imagery of Quran recitations and gahwa (Arabic coffee) evokes the warmth of tradition. I aimed to make the video an emotional journey, starting with visuals of a mosque and a prayer mat, symbolizing faith as a constant in my life.
The use of the broken house and demolished building is intentional, representing the destruction that war and displacement bring. The door with old furniture reflects the memories of past homes that are both lost and cherished, while the boat on the water represents my family’s migration across borders. I conclude the video with a shot of myself working on a laptop, symbolizing progress, adaptation, and a new life built from these varied experiences.
Technical Approach
From a technical perspective, I drew inspiration from neorealism, which emphasizes authentic, raw visuals to convey real-life struggles (Cardullo, 2020). This approach can be seen in the use of natural light and everyday settings, from the streets of Dubai to the interior of a simple home. I used close-ups, such as the pouring of gahwa and shots of prayer, to add emotional depth and connect the audience to the personal significance of these actions.
This project allowed me to merge my personal history with film techniques that emphasize realism and emotional depth, creating a visual poem that speaks to identity, migration, and resilience
My poem
Where I’m From
I’m from my dad’s voice saying Itni habibti ya Sakankan,
From the sound of Quran that fills our mornings,
From Mukhbaza on the table, warm and sweet,
And gahwa, sipped while we talk about everything and nothing.
I’m from my mom’s bedtime stories,
The ones that made me dream big,
From the hands of my parents, always working,
So I could stand tall and make them proud.
I’m from the boat that carried us away when war came,
From Yemen to Djibouti, and then to Pakistan,
And now Dubai, where the skyline feels like hope.
I’m from the ashes of a house lost to flames,
But still, I’m from the fire that pushes me forward,
Turning every struggle into strength, every loss into a lesson.
I’m from memories that stretch across oceans,
From Yemen’s streets to Djibouti’s shores,
From Pakistan’s warmth to Dubai’s fast pace.
No matter where I go, I carry it all with me—
A family, a journey, a story that’s always home.
making media 