Doha Film Institute
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For over forty years, Fariha has survived through song, despite displacement and the resounding sounds of war. In 2021, 74-year-old former Yemeni music star, Fariha, attempts a musical comeback to bring hope to the hearts of those around her.
'Fariha' is a short musical documentary that tells the story of an unusual role model for Yemeni women. The film attempts to bring back to the scene the voice of Fariha, a Western Yemeni artist famous in the '80s for singing with prominent male contemporaries like Abu Bakr Salem, Ahmed Fathi and Karama Mersal. The film follows the life of today's 74-year-old Fariha, who despite living alone and being forced to flee her home due to the war, does not stop humming melodies, from city to city, in search of a humble means of income. This short documentary film also highlights the fraught relationship between a bold Yemeni artist and her conservative society—a society that looks down on and smothers artistic professions under the pretext of religion or customs, especially if the artist is a woman.

Credits

Director
Badr Yousef
Screenwriter
Badr Yousef
Producer
Yousra Ishaq, Sara Ishaq
Cast
فريحة حسن Fariha Hassan

About the Director

Bader AL-Riama
Bader Yousef is a graphic designer, photographer, and first-time filmmaker. He is a 2021 graduate of the International University of Technology Twintech (IUTT) in Multimedia. Bader has worked as a photographer and designer with agencies and production companies inside and outside Yemen since 2015. His passion for documenting Yemeni street life earned him first place in the 'Moment's Story' competi
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