HAIYU – Rebel Singer Mariem Hassan and the Struggle for a Free Western Sahara
Filmvisning med efterföljande samtal med filmens västsahariska producent Mohamedsalem Werad. Filmen har undertext på engelska och samtalet förs på engelska.
Haiyu – Rebel Singer Mariem Hassan and the Struggle for a Free Western Sahara
”Med sin unika och kraftfulla röst blev rebellsångerskan Mariem Hassan en symbol för motståndet och hoppet om ett självständigt Västsahara.
Samtidigt som Spanien pressades att lämna Västsahara 1975 invaderades landet av grannländerna Marocko och Mauretanien. Kriget och ockupationen som följde tvingade tiotusentals saharawier på flykt. Många hamnade i flyktingläger i den algeriska öknen som fortfarande idag hyser en stor del av befolkningen. Hit kom också den då 17-åriga Mariem och det var här hennes musikaliska kamp tog sin början. Ledsagade av Hassans slagkraftiga sånger och texter och med ett rikt arkivmaterial har filmkollektivet RåFILM och Saharawi Voice skapat ett angeläget dokument över en av vår tids mest långvariga och bortglömda självständighetskamper.”
Tobias Åkesson, GFF 2025
Synopsis
In the Sahara desert, the voice of one of North Africa’s greatest singers still echoes. A voice that has uplifted and given hope to a forgotten struggle. Mariem Hassan’s life and music have been deeply affected by the ongoing tragedy committed to the Sahrawis throughout the colonial era continuing up to this very day. Her songs have been given comfort and hope, and have been used as a tool in the fight for independence in Africa’s last colony, Western Sahara.
The documentary intertwines the life narrative of Mariem Hassan with her relentless quest for the territory’s liberation. Through interviews with family, friends, poets, soldiers and fellow musicians, viewers gain insight into Mariem’s important influence. Mariem’s music plays a central role in the film and for the audience the lyrics create a unique insight into the musical treasure and history of the land. Archival footage and personal anecdotes paint a vivid picture of a woman whose artistry transcended borders and touched the hearts of those who listened.
The film is made in collaboration between the filmmaker collectives RåFILM from Sweden and Saharawi Voice from the Western Sahara refugee camps in Algeria. The title ”Haiyu” – meaning to encourage in Arabic– reflects both Mariem’s rebellious spirit and the collective determination of a people in their ongoing struggle for a free Western Sahara.
ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS (AS COLLECTIVE)
The film is a product of a collaboration between the filmmaking collectives Saharawi Voice and RåFILM.
Saharawi Voice is a collective of Saharawi filmmakers and storytellers based in the Saharawi refugee camps and aims to raise awareness about Africa’s last colony, Western Sahara. The combined knowledge and expertise enable them to tell a story about Western Sahara that is compelling, unique, and informative.
RåFILM is a collective from Sweden who have worked on social justice projects in a wide range of forms, including another documentary on Western Sahara titled ‘3 Stolen Cameras’ which was produced and directed with the Saharawi media organisation Equipe Media.
| Startar | 18 april 2025 16:00 |
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| Slutar | 18 april 2025 18:00 |