A Stranger in Her Own City follows Nejmia, a thirteen year old girl, who flouts custom by not wearing a veil, by playing in the streets with boys her age, by riding a bicycle, a scooter, and generally by doing whatever she likes. She is cursed, ridiculed and threatened, but, buoyed by a truly indomitable spirit, she perseveres with incredible good humor and sense of perspective. Below, an interview with the director, Khadija Al-Salami.
Q: First and foremost—a year later—how and where is Nejmia? Do you keep in touch with her? What is she like now? What has been the effect of this documentary on Nejmia? On the town?
KHADIJA AL-SALAMI: Seven months after shooting the film, Nejmia’s father stopped her from going to school and ordered her to wear the veil. A year later, this film won first prize at the Beirut Film Festival. The president of Yemen was visiting France at that time and heard about the prize. He asked me to show him the film. I thought he would not like it because it shows society looking down on women, but I was wrong. He was drawn by Nejmia’s personality, and at the end of the film he asked me to tell Nejmia’s family that he would like to pay for her education. I was very happy to hear that and thought that was the best prize I could ever get for the film. Now, Nejmia is back at school. I think it is the most important element for a better and independent future. The more a woman is educated, the more she knows her rights and is able to defend them, the more useful she will be to her family and to society as a whole. The film was not screened on Yemeni TV because they are not accustomed to such controversial subject matter.
Q: Were you ever worried for Nejmia’s—or your own—safety, while filming?
KS: This film was shot without any preparation. One day I was walking around the old city of Sanaa with a group of French journalists I had brought with me to Yemen to promote my country as part of my job at the embassy. Suddenly I saw this young girl struggling to live her life freely and naturally in a society full of so many restrictions when it comes to women. Fortunately I had my camera with me and started shooting spontaneously. The second and third days I went to find her in her neighborhood and filmed as she struggled to defend herself. I did not have a problem filming because I was by myself and discreet and Nejmia’s personality put her in the spotlight because the people are not used to a strong girl like her.Though people were against her, I noticed a feeling of admiration as they joked and laughed with her.
Q: You, like Nejmia, were born in Sanaa, Yemen. It’s incredible that despite oppression, you and Nejmia have such strong senses of self and entitlement. What inspired that strength?
KS: I think the strength came from the desire to live free and with dignity, and to have our destiny in our own hands, not in the hands of tradition and culture. All human beings are born free, but unfortunately certain traditions and cultures in some countries impose a lot of restrictions, especially when it comes to women’s rights. It imprisons their dreams and goals in life. If a woman decides to break through and prove that she is equal to men and has the same abilities as men do, the consequences are heavy. She can easily lose not only her reputation, but the whole family will be badly criticized.
Q: After escaping an unhappy arranged marriage at the age of eleven, you realized the importance of education as a gateway to freedom. How did you ensure yourself an education? And what do you think would have become of you had you not?
KS: The road to my rebellious personality was not easy in a very traditional country like Yemen, where I was considered a woman at eleven years old and my family forced me to marry. At that moment, I realized that I was alone and decided to win this battle at any cost. When I saw there was no other choice, I decided to commit suicide. Fortunately it did not work out and at that moment my mother stood by me and helped me to get divorced. The marriage only lasted three weeks—during summer vacation—but I knew from an early age that education is the key to success and to independence. I did all I could to pursue my education and also to work at the same time. Those who opposed me very strongly when I was very young, especially family relatives, nowadays praise me and say they hope their daughters will follow in my footsteps. Instead of being the bad example, I became a good example. This change makes me happy, like I at least contributed toward the evolution of women in my country. Now we see women participating in political life and working in different fields. They have proven they are capable of making a great change in the society. If I did not do what I did, I would now be a grandmother with at least six children. Some women are happy with this life, but I would not be. Every woman should be able to choose. For me, I would be living miserably, not having the chance to travel and meet interesting people and learn so many things and appreciate life and what it has to offer.
Q: I was surprised that the nearby mosque’s Imam was so supportive of
Nejmia. Why was that?
KS: The mosque Imam was so supportive of Nejmia because he does not interpret Islamic teachings to mean that women are inferior to men. He does not use religion as an excuse to deprive women of their rights, or use religion to justify their ideas whenit is really local customs and traditions.
click here to see where to watch or .
Ready to Watch Wholphin, Season 3, Episode 3?