Palestinian Director Laila Abbas on Making a Comedy About Sharia Law With ‘Thanks for Banking With Us!’

As a seasoned movie enthusiast with a soft spot for films that challenge societal norms and bring about change, I find Laila Abbas’s “Thanks for Banking With Us!” to be an absolute gem of a film. Having traversed the globe attending numerous film festivals, I can confidently say that this Palestinian director has truly outdone herself with this thought-provoking comedy.

Over the course of film history, comedy has often provided a rich ground for directors to delve into sensitive topics. In the “Thanks for Banking With Us!” movie, which is part of the Meet the Neighbors competition at the Thessaloniki Film Festival, Palestinian director Laila Abbas tackles Islamic Sharia law using the story of two sisters fighting against the clock to claim their father’s inheritance.

According to Islamic Shariah law, men receive twice as much inheritance as women upon the death of a family member, with brothers such as uncles and cousins being given preference over sisters if there are no sons. In Abbas’s latest film, sisters Noura (played by Yasmine Al Massri) and Maryam (Clara Khoury) must devise clever strategies to prevent their absent brother from benefiting from their father’s estate, as he had been estranged for many years, all the while contending with their own financial hardships.

Abbas openly discussed the issue when asked if she had any reservations about bringing up inheritance law, saying to Variety, “I carefully considered every aspect, aiming to share this story in a way that encourages dialogue without initially turning people off. If I’d approached it differently, it might have been perceived as offensive and I could have lost a significant portion of my audience.

As a movie reviewer, let me share my thoughts: While I appreciate the boldness that this film aimed to portray, I found the overall tone too light for such a radical narrative. My intention was to involve a wide audience, encouraging them to empathize with the characters and walk in their shoes till the very end.

Although Abbas openly criticizes her home country’s patriarchal system, she swiftly clarifies that the film should not be perceived as an attempt to critique her people, suggesting a Western model for emulation. Instead, she explains, she created this movie to stimulate dialogue within our community about the ideals we aspire to and the ways in which we must transform into something that reflects our own identity.

Initially, Abbas gained recognition with the 2013 documentary “Ice & Dust,” which followed a young Palestinian woman’s pursuit of a better life in Canada. For his second major production, Abbas chose to explore comedy as a means to present an authentic Palestinian narrative that wasn’t defined by sorrow or adversity. This decision was made prior to the October 7th attacks, which unfortunately sparked a conflict that continues to escalate in the region today.

The director shared that they are showcasing a comedy film at international film festivals, yet finding it challenging due to the urgent global events. They pondered on how to reconcile the film’s lighthearted tone with current serious issues. It’s ethically difficult for them and they feel compelled to mention that the movie was filmed prior to the war. While the director is proud of telling a non-war story, they acknowledge that there are more pressing matters in the world today that need attention, and they want to address those.

In “Thanks for Banking With Us!”, the director expresses her satisfaction with the authentic depiction of Palestinians and life within Palestine. She specifically commends her costume and set design teams, who put in great effort to construct genuine environments and characters. The director’s aim was to present a family and setting that resonated with reality for those familiar with life in Palestine, ensuring nothing felt out of place or contrived.

We’ve been to numerous homes, which can be quite challenging in our hometown due to the lack of a cinema tradition. People aren’t accustomed to film productions taking place within their residences, often agreeing to it but becoming startled when multiple crew members appear in their apartments. One of our main difficulties was a promise we made with a local bank for shooting at their branch, contracts were signed, and just two days before the shoot they contacted us and canceled due to legal concerns.

The solution? To rush to the neighboring university and recreate a bank within their common spaces. “It’s not easy to shoot in Palestine, but we got creative. We freaked out, of course, but it all worked out in the end.”

Speaking about the impact she hopes her film will have, Abbas expresses that she wants viewers to catch a glimpse of the intricacies and splendor of our lives there. She devoted 95 minutes to solely portraying Palestine. With so much content filling our screens today, she desired to create a film where Palestinians are the focus and radiate.

2024-10-31 19:48

Palestinian Director Laila Abbas on Making a Comedy About Sharia Law With ‘Thanks for Banking With Us!’

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