Film Screening: "Becoming Iphigenia" in partnership with City of Asylum

Becoming Iphigenia (ان تکوني افیغینیا) is a feature-length creative documentary. The film follows the story of nine young Syrian women who have fled to Germany to escape the war and, for some, to escape the society at home. The women hail from different walks of life and communities in Syria, and they were brought together on stage at the Volksbühne in Berlin for roles in a modern adaptation of Euripides’ Iphigenia written by playwright Mohammad al-Attar and directed by Omar Abusaada.

In creating this film, Reem Alghazzi had close access to the cast of non-professional actors. She filmed the preparations, rehearsals, discussions, and the premiere, as well as the women’s lives in Germany outside the theatre. As the women spent more and more time together, they discovered that though they had left to escape pain and possible death, they still carried these hardships wherever they went. Could they escape the past, family, society, and themselves?

Reem Alghazzi (Filmmaker) is a multifaceted Syrian artist, writer, and filmmaker recognized for her impactful storytelling and dedication to highlighting marginalized voices. Raised in Syria, her work is deeply influenced by her personal experiences and the socio-political realities of her homeland. Reem has directed and produced several films, many of which have been showcased at prestigious international festivals, including Cinéma du Réel in Paris and the Locarno International Film Festival. Beyond filmmaking, she has authored numerous articles and essays featured in local and Arabic media outlets, demonstrating her versatility as a creative voice. In 2010, she founded the Stories Film Lab in Damascus, a platform aimed at fostering independent filmmaking and storytelling. Her works have also been displayed in various exhibitions and at renowned venues like the Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw. In 2023, her dedication to her craft and advocacy earned her the Samira Alkhaleel Prize in Paris.