Bits and Pieces is a short film inspired by the powerful need to confront distorted perceptions
of Jordanians in particular and Arabs in general. After finding each other
through the online film community Shooting People, Ben Mandell and I came together in Jordan in
October 2008. With the help of friends, family and strangers, we set out to
understand and document the realities of one of the Middle East’s most rapidly
developing nations.
We conducted over two dozen interviews with men and women of various
ages and socioeconomic backgrounds. From these conversations certain
inescapable truths emerged, including Jordan’s place in the world; the impact
of globalization; the complexity of being Muslim; homosexuality and tolerance;
the hatta (traditional headdress) and its association with terrorism; what it
means to be Palestinian; the desire for peace; and the need for understanding
between cultures.
Forgoing
a traditional documentary approach, we selected excerpts from eight
of the interviews to illustrate with handmade mosaics. The final result is a
mesmerizing blend of traditional Jordanian culture and contemporary insights. | Click on image to watch Bits and Pieces on the Media that Matters website.
Total Running Time: 5 minutes
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Bits and Pieces - a short from Jordan
