Dolls, A Woman from Damascus (2008)
A Film by Diana El Jeiroudi
A Coproduction of Proaction Film and Final Cut Productions
Producers: Orwa Nyrabia, Diana El Jeiroudi, in Coproduction with Mikael Opstrup.
Supported by: Danish Film Institute, Jan Vrijman Fund, TV2 Denmark, NRK, YLE Teema, NHK, TSR.
International Sales: First Hand Films (Festivals: No Nation Films GmbH)
Acknowledgements: Official Selection of IDFA, Visions du Reel, Montpellier, Doc A Tunis, CPH:DOX…
SYNOPSIS
In a traditional Damascene milieu, Manal is challenged to cherish her excellence as a housewife. Still, she insists on chasing a personal dream of getting back to work. As she tries to get hold of all ends together insistently & restlessly, her two young daughters are mesmerized by the smiling face they see on TV everyday. For here comes the Arab phenomenon doll, Fulla. Behind Fulla’s smile is her marketing manager who particularly knows that Damascene society traditions are top-selling products. And that by personifying these traditions alone, Fulla was able of pushing Barbie off her throne not only in Syria, but throughout the Arab world.