“Every film I do is a story of friendship,” Hind Meddeb says. Her newest work, a documentary called Sudan, Remember Us, is no different.
When Sudanese president Omar Al Bashir was overthrown in 2019, the filmmaker had just finished Paris Stalingrad, a documentary that sheds light on the experiences of refugees in the French capital. Many of those Meddeb interviewed for the film and befriended were Sudanese. Along with the other refugees in the Stalingrad district, they were waiting for their asylum status to clear, sleeping in the streets and being harassed by the police.
“It was happening right outside my house,” Meddeb tells The National. “My neighbours and I were going every day to help them, bringing food and letting them into our homes to shower. We also helped translate their asylum papers.”
She adds that most of the Sudanese refugees she met had been imprisoned by Al Bashir’s regime, and when the government was overthrown, she says: "It was like their dream coming true.”
“They were so excited about the revolution in Sudan,” she continues. “But they couldn’t go back because they were in the process of their asylum papers. They told me that I could go though. They really wanted me to see where they come from.”
Meddeb’s Sudanese friends encouraged her to travel to Khartoum to witness the revolution, offering contacts to help show her around. Meddeb landed in Khartoum to witness the city in a state of euphoria.
The first part of Sudan, Remember Us shows this. The documentary, screening at the Marrakech International Film Festival, depicts the jubilee and hope that swept the capital immediately after Al Bashir was deposed. People called for a citizen’s government to be formed while chanting, reciting poetry and singing in the streets.
“I found myself in the middle of the sit-in,” Meddeb narrates in the documentary to footage of cheerful crowds. “I joined in the festivities. Maybe because my mother is from Morocco and Algeria, and my father is from Tunisia your poetic Arabic took me back to my roots.”
The documentary is filled with interviews that offer a concrete understanding of what the Sudanese people had been facing under Al Bashir’s rule, and the hope they had for change.
“The revolution changed everything,” Shajane Suliman, one of the interviewees, says in the film. “We realised that the country belongs to us. We discovered what patriotic feeling is. We realised we had rights.”
However, the dream soon changed into a nightmare of violence and brutality. In June 2019, on the eve of Eid Al Fitr, Sudanese security forces descended on the protestors, killing and sexually assaulting dozens. Meddeb wasn’t in Khartoum that day, but the documentary features footage taken on mobile phones.
“When you see these videos of the military taking the woman away, they're taking them away to rape them. It was horrible,” Meddeb says.
She says she didn’t want to embed much footage of the clashes as she didn’t want to “embrace the military storytelling”. However, it was necessary to show how the armed forces were pulling women away from the crowds to communicate the gravity of the events. “The images are unbearable,” she says. “But I wanted to put them because I wanted the people to understand the level of violence.”
In fact, up until the crackdown, Meddeb says she had been to show her Sudanese friends in Paris the mirth in Khartoum. After the violence unfolded, her plans for the footage changed.
“I didn't know I was going to do a film,” she says. “I was just documenting a historical moment, and I was really filming for my friends. I thought when I got back to Paris, I would edit this footage, show it to my friends and we could organise a night for Sudan with music. After June 3, I knew I had to do a movie.”
Sudan, Remember Us offers a gripping perspective of the struggle to form a citizen’s government in the face of military rule. It takes viewers behind the scenes of protests, as Sudan’s younger generation gathers in cafes to discuss how they can confront the unraveling injustices as activists.
It also shows how poetry has been used as an instrument of protest in Sudan for decades, referencing the works of poets such as Mohammad Alhassan Salim, better known as Hummaid, and Muhammad Al Gaddal.
One of the film’s stars is Maad Shaykhun, who is often regarded as the poetic voice of Sudanese activists. The film concludes with a poetry recitation by Shaykhun. It comes as a streak of hope in a present marred by a grim and violent reality, where some of Sudan’s brightest minds have been forced to flee the country due to the war, which Meddeb says is a bloody tool “to silence the civil society and the great Sudanese people”.
“I start with the war and I end with a poem of hope because I'm already thinking of the future,” Meddeb says. “I think this film is for the next generation, for the children of the activists, to keep a memory of something beautiful, of the Sudanese people standing up. I don't want to show the people miserable.”
She says a large driver of the film was to highlight recent events in Sudan, a conflict that has often been sidelined by international news agencies. However, it also seeks to confront how the Arab world is depicted in the West. “I hate the way they represent the Arab world and Africa,” she says. "And that's why this is so important to me.”
The documentary, which had its international premiere at the Venice Film Festival, was met with a standing ovation. However, bringing Sudan, Remember Us back to the Arab world has been even more gratifying. At Doha’s Ajyal Film Festival last month, the documentary won the Audience Award.
"We were really celebrated,” she says. “It’s the same here in Morocco, we are being celebrated.”
Yet, there is one disheartening aspect of the film’s festival journey to consider, Meddeb notes. “Most of my interviews are with Arab press,” she says, explaining how the issue in Sudan still seems to be of little interest to the western world.
“Same in Venice, only Arab press interviewed us. It's terrible when you think about it. But I don’t care, we continue. We do things for history. It’s a long-term battle.”
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
First-round leaderbaord
-5 C Conners (Can)
-3 B Koepka (US), K Bradley (US), V Hovland (Nor), A Wise (US), S Horsfield (Eng), C Davis (Aus);
-2 C Morikawa (US), M Laird (Sco), C Tringale (US)
Selected others: -1 P Casey (Eng), R Fowler (US), T Hatton (Eng)
Level B DeChambeau (US), J Rose (Eng)
1 L Westwood (Eng), J Spieth (US)
3 R McIlroy (NI)
4 D Johnson (US)
FIGHT INFO
Men’s 60kg Round 1:
Ahmad Shuja Jamal (AFG) beat Krisada Takhiankliang (THA) - points
Hyan Aljmyah (SYR) beat Akram Alyminee (YEM) - retired Round 1
Ibrahim Bilal (UAE) beat Bhanu Pratap Pandit (IND) - TKO Round 1
Men’s 71kg Round 1:
Seyed Kaveh Soleyman (IRI) beat Abedel Rahman (JOR) - RSC round 3.
Amine Al Moatassime (UAE) walk over Ritiz Puri (NEP)
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
The lowdown
Badla
Rating: 2.5/5
Produced by: Red Chillies, Azure Entertainment
Director: Sujoy Ghosh
Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Taapsee Pannu, Amrita Singh, Tony Luke
A new relationship with the old country
Treaty of Friendship between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates
The United kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates; Considering that the United Arab Emirates has assumed full responsibility as a sovereign and independent State; Determined that the long-standing and traditional relations of close friendship and cooperation between their peoples shall continue; Desiring to give expression to this intention in the form of a Treaty Friendship; Have agreed as follows:
ARTICLE 1 The relations between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates shall be governed by a spirit of close friendship. In recognition of this, the Contracting Parties, conscious of their common interest in the peace and stability of the region, shall: (a) consult together on matters of mutual concern in time of need; (b) settle all their disputes by peaceful means in conformity with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations.
ARTICLE 2 The Contracting Parties shall encourage education, scientific and cultural cooperation between the two States in accordance with arrangements to be agreed. Such arrangements shall cover among other things: (a) the promotion of mutual understanding of their respective cultures, civilisations and languages, the promotion of contacts among professional bodies, universities and cultural institutions; (c) the encouragement of technical, scientific and cultural exchanges.
ARTICLE 3 The Contracting Parties shall maintain the close relationship already existing between them in the field of trade and commerce. Representatives of the Contracting Parties shall meet from time to time to consider means by which such relations can be further developed and strengthened, including the possibility of concluding treaties or agreements on matters of mutual concern.
ARTICLE 4 This Treaty shall enter into force on today’s date and shall remain in force for a period of ten years. Unless twelve months before the expiry of the said period of ten years either Contracting Party shall have given notice to the other of its intention to terminate the Treaty, this Treaty shall remain in force thereafter until the expiry of twelve months from the date on which notice of such intention is given.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned have signed this Treaty.
DONE in duplicate at Dubai the second day of December 1971AD, corresponding to the fifteenth day of Shawwal 1391H, in the English and Arabic languages, both texts being equally authoritative.
Signed
Geoffrey Arthur Sheikh Zayed
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
UK's plans to cut net migration
Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.
Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.
But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.
Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.
Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.
The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
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• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.
• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.
• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dual%20synchronous%20electric%20motors%20%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E646hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E830Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ETwo-speed%20auto%20(rear%20axle)%3B%20single-speed%20auto%20(front)%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh552%2C311%3B%20Dh660%2C408%20(as%20tested)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Match info
Premier League
Manchester United 2 (Martial 30', Lingard 69')
Arsenal 2 (Mustafi 26', Rojo 68' OG)
Joker: Folie a Deux
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson
Director: Todd Phillips
Rating: 2/5
MATCH INFO
Asian Champions League, last 16, first leg:
Al Ain 2 Al Duhail 4
Second leg:
Tuesday, Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Doha. Kick off 7.30pm
Zayed Sustainability Prize
The five pillars of Islam
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The years Ramadan fell in May
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
The five pillars of Islam
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
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More on Quran memorisation:
5 of the most-popular Airbnb locations in Dubai
Bobby Grudziecki, chief operating officer of Frank Porter, identifies the five most popular areas in Dubai for those looking to make the most out of their properties and the rates owners can secure:
• Dubai Marina
The Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence are popular locations, says Mr Grudziecki, due to their closeness to the beach, restaurants and hotels.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh482 to Dh739
Two bedroom: Dh627 to Dh960
Three bedroom: Dh721 to Dh1,104
• Downtown
Within walking distance of the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the famous fountains, this location combines business and leisure. “Sure it’s for tourists,” says Mr Grudziecki. “Though Downtown [still caters to business people] because it’s close to Dubai International Financial Centre."
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh497 to Dh772
Two bedroom: Dh646 to Dh1,003
Three bedroom: Dh743 to Dh1,154
• City Walk
The rising star of the Dubai property market, this area is lined with pristine sidewalks, boutiques and cafes and close to the new entertainment venue Coca Cola Arena. “Downtown and Marina are pretty much the same prices,” Mr Grudziecki says, “but City Walk is higher.”
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh524 to Dh809
Two bedroom: Dh682 to Dh1,052
Three bedroom: Dh784 to Dh1,210
• Jumeirah Lake Towers
Dubai Marina’s little brother JLT resides on the other side of Sheikh Zayed road but is still close enough to beachside outlets and attractions. The big selling point for Airbnb renters, however, is that “it’s cheaper than Dubai Marina”, Mr Grudziecki says.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh422 to Dh629
Two bedroom: Dh549 to Dh818
Three bedroom: Dh631 to Dh941
• Palm Jumeirah
Palm Jumeirah's proximity to luxury resorts is attractive, especially for big families, says Mr Grudziecki, as Airbnb renters can secure competitive rates on one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh503 to Dh770
Two bedroom: Dh654 to Dh1,002
Three bedroom: Dh752 to Dh1,152
