The animated documentary Shadows is a powerful exploration of resilience and vulnerability by Director Rand Beiruty, examining both personal and societal struggles. With her latest project featured in the Orizzonti Short Films section at Venice, Beiruty discusses her journey of transforming sensitive narratives into animation, highlighting the significance of safeguarding the voices of those she represents.
What approach did you take to develop your creative vision for the film?
The idea for the film originated while I was working on my debut documentary, Tell Them About Us, which follows a group of Arab, Kurdish, and Roma teenage girls who are new to a province in Germany. One of the girls had a particularly sensitive story that I was hesitant to include in the documentary for her safety, but I still felt compelled to tell it—that is the story of Shadows. I chose to use animation as a medium to protect the vulnerability of the film participant and to highlight her subjective experience of enduring child marriage and abuse.
What obstacles did you navigate while producing the project?
Finding the right partners was crucial. I aimed to collaborate with producers who share the same core values of care and commitment, as the process of making the film is just as important to me as the final product. I also had a specific artistic vision in mind, and it took time to find the right artists to help realize it. Fortunately, I was able to connect with partners and collaborators whose values and unique styles enriched the storytelling and enhanced the overall experience of bringing my vision to life.
What inspired the creation of the lead character, Ahlam?
Shadows is an animated documentary, and Ahlam is a pseudonym for a real woman whose resilience inspired the lead animated character. Her story, filled with pain and authenticity, stands as a powerful testament to the strength of the human spirit. I feel humbled and grateful that she entrusted me with the opportunity to share her experience.
The character represents some of the challenges confronting the current generation in the region. Would you classify this film as political? What central message do you hope to express?
All art carries political significance. Shadows tells the story of one woman—her aspirations, traumas, and fears, and how she navigates them. While the film centers on her personal journey, it also inevitably reflects the wider socio-political realities that have influenced her life since the U.S. invasion of Iraq. I aimed to emphasize themes of agency and hope. As for the film’s message, I’m not interested in being didactic; I believe viewers will take away whatever resonates with them personally.
How does a short film differ from a feature-length film? Would you consider directing a short film to be more difficult?
Neither format is inherently more difficult or easier than the other; they each provide unique approaches to storytelling. Both come with their specific challenges and advantages.
What impact do you expect Venice to have on your career and on the industry as a whole?
Holding such a platform comes with the responsibility to uplift voices that often lack the same opportunities. Unfortunately, there is considerable censorship—both self-imposed and externally imposed. This makes it all the more important to have avenues for sharing our stories from our own perspectives. In an industry that frequently prioritizes conventional measures of success, being screened at a prestigious film festival can provide essential visibility for our narratives. However, we will have to wait and see what this experience brings.
Text by Victor Gee.
