French actress is on Arab movie mission

French actress Aurore Auteuil’s aims to blow away the false images she believes many Europeans have of the Arab world with a moving documentary.

Called Yalla Habib or Breath of Life, it will feature a number of young people representing the true Bahrain.
The documentary – made with her best friend Eudeline de Tinguy, a creative professional working in Bahrain – should be ready for release by early next year.
“In France, I have only seen movies portraying wrong scenes about religion in the Arab world that create scepticism in the minds of people. It is only when we interact with people here that we really understand how different the reality is.
“People follow traditions here. Family is very important and everyone abides by very strong value systems. Unlike Europe, which is very individualistic, I find that people have greater respect for each other on this island. They are open and take pains to take care of each other.
“I was pleasantly surprised and I want to honour the people here. Yalla Habib will be about the young people in the kingdom. The documentary will be made by young people in their 20s from the region.
“I am trying to get as many Bahraini talents as possible to work on the documentary which will showcase the young people’s point of view and what they love about life here,” she said.
The documentary will also feature the fasting during Ramadan.
“All my friends are artists – painters, photographers, musicians and they follow their hobbies outside their office hours,” she explained.
“I think an abaya is very elegant and is very cultural. It’s not worn to hide. I will be wearing one during Ramadan when I will fast along with my friends.
“The hour-long documentary will be made in French, English and Arabic just the way we speak and interact in Bahrain. It will not be conventional and will carry in it the spirit of the young people.”
French producer Daniel Baschieu will be producing the documentary. Aurore has also roped in the support of Bahraini film-maker Bassam Al Thawadi.
This is her third visit to Bahrain and Aurore, 26, was so fascinated by the people that she has also written a script for a film called Sahar or Dawn that she intends to direct in both countries.
“It will be the first Bahrain-French movie,” she said.
“The film is from the point of view of a girl coming to an unknown country and being comfortable and happy there even though it is very different from her own.”
In an earlier interview with GulfWeekly, Aurore had revealed plans of setting up a production company in the kingdom and hopes of putting together a Middle Eastern adaptation of The Vagina Monologues.

By Anasuya Kesavan
anasuyak7@gmail.com