Aziza

By Shannon MacColl

The short:

A Syrian couple moves to Beirut with only one possession, the husband’s car, Aziza. When the wife must learn to drive Aziza, their dark reality is revealed.

The long:

A Syrian couple, Ayman (husband) and Alya (wife), have moved to Beirut but Alya must learn how to navigate and drive through the roads of Beirut. Ayman has Alya act out driving in a parking lot in his beloved car, Aziza. But everything is not as it seems. What appears to be a fun way for Alya to learn how to drive quickly gives way to a dark reality. Alya becomes frustrated with pretending to drive and demands Ayman to allow her to drive Aziza. Upon her ultimatum to leave him, he agrees to allow her to drive Aziza, when she does, the madness starts to descend. The car stalls out and causes Alya to become frustrated. This provides an interesting exchange between the two.

Ayman: Pretend like you’re driving.”

Alya: “In Damascus?”

Ayman: “Yes. In Damascus. Our house was not bombed. It’s still there.”

The couple continues to pretend they are back in Damascus, discussing what their lives were like but there appears to be no realization that they are actually in a parking lot in Beirut. Their fantasy has become their reality.

To watch or not to watch?

Watch it. It is a short film that packs an emotional punch. It interweaves humor and sadness expertly and is unbelievably moving. It is an important reflection on the small iota of the reality so many refugees must experience trying to navigate their new lives with those they left behind.