The Abbass Women's Legacy: Memories of Palestine on Film

The Abbass Women's Legacy: Memories of Palestine on Film

In the moving documentary “Bye Bye Tibériade”, which will be released in 2023 and directed by Lina Soualem Hiam Abbass shows how deep the connections between her past in Palestine and her current identity run. With a childhood marked by loss, Abbass talks about her origins, including the challenges and experiences of her family, who had to suffer the consequences of the Nakbah for generations.

The film takes us on a journey as Lina encourages her mother, who moved to France in the late 1980s, to explore her roots. Abbass, who has never spoken much about her place of origin, Deir Hanna in the Galilee, is confronted with her past again through old family videos and stories. These memories evoke the stories of her grandmother Neemat and great-grandmother Um Ali, both of whom were strong in difficult times and maintained their family's identity.

Bridging Generations

Many Palestinians see “staying” in their homeland as an act of resistance. For Hiam Abbass, who is considered one of the voices of Palestinian women, it is important to build bridges. In a conversation with France Culture She explained that her family was shaped by education and cultural heritage and that many Palestinians consider themselves to be the best educated in the Arab world. She tries to pass these values ​​on to a new generation.

The emotional journey that Lina and Hiam embark on is not only a return to the places of their past, but also a reflection on the legacy they carry. Hiam Abbass describes the silent pain associated with her exile and separation from her family. Through her daughter's lens, she gains a new perspective on her story and the strength of the women in her family.

Identity and resistance

The film also addresses the role of women in the transmission of cultural traditions and memories. “Bye Bye Tibériade” highlights how the different life stories are intertwined and how each woman resists in her own way. Hiam Abbass, Um Ali and Neemat have maintained their Palestinian identity despite difficult circumstances and are passing on this strength to the next generation. Lina, the fourth generation born outside Palestine, symbolizes the new perspective and the carrying on of this legacy.

In conclusion, Hiam Abbass and Lina Soualem tell an important story with “Bye Bye Tibériade” that addresses not only personal but also collective aspects of Palestinian identity. Their stories are a powerful reminder that maintaining culture and history is important even in the diaspora and that intergenerational connections are essential to keeping heritage alive.