User reviews

Although this new feature length documentary is not available to the public yet (I was lucky to catch it at a private screening prior to its premiere at the Damascus International Film Festival) hopefully it will be soon. The film chronicles the life and teachings of Bouthaina Shabban - an extraordinary woman, educated in the U.S., who is a Syrian cabinet minister while at the same time being an outspoken advocate of women's rights in the Middle East and throughout the world; imperiling herself in defiance of traditional Middle Eastern values. Director Ziad Hamzeh demonstrates a deep affinity for the subject and a remarkable sensitivity toward her life and mission. Shot in HD, the photography is exquisite, especially the parts that were filmed on the streets of Damascus. After seeing shots of that city, it's easy to understand why over the centuries, so many have traveled the road to Damascus. Overall the documentary is well balanced - a unique vision that blends her private life with her public persona.

I had the pleasure of seeing "Woman" at the Beverly Hills Film Festival, where it was honored with the Golden Palm Award. Ziad Hamzeh paints a vivid and compelling portrait of activist Bouthaina Shaaban's fight for women's rights in Syria. The laser-like focus on our heroine, guided by Dr. Shaaban's own voice throughout, is like meeting her at an intimate dinner for two where you leave as best of friends. At the same time, this approach means that we do not hear opposing voices, or much of the broader context of what is going on in Syria or the Middle East. Speaking with the filmmaker afterwards, however, made it clear that this apolitical approach was intentional, with the goal of getting the film a wider audience in the region. Particularly strong is a very humanizing segment with Dr. Shaaban's mother, who is suffering from Alzheimer's. While a bit lengthy, this portion of the film is particularly effective at delivering the message that many of us must deal with family issues such as aging parents, regardless of nationality or religion. This is a message that makes our journey to Damascus through the film truly worthwhile.

Didn't quite know what to expect when I sat down to watch this film. From the first scene I was mesmerized. Dr. Bouthaina Shaaban's courageous determination to obtain rights for Arab women in a male dominated country is a powerful story. This film should be offered for viewing at all high schools and colleges in this country. The students would gain so much insight into the Syrian culture. Dr. Shaaban is an inspiration. What she has accomplished is amazing. The film also captures some wonderful scenes of Damascus. The music is hauntingly beautiful. I was especially touched by Dr. Shaaban's relationship with her aging parents. Ziad Hamzeh and his crew is to be congratulated on a job well done.

I desire that we take responsibility to seek the kind of truth that will dissuade us from following the very nature to judge others, to point fingers, or to slip into that fatal trap of prejudice and anger. Not an easy task given our world today. However, I believe it can be done.

"Women" is one of the best documentaries I have seen to date. The cinematography is breath taking. The music score is mesmerizing.

"Woman" captures the heart. It is a prelude to understanding. "Women" praises tolerance, counseling the desire to be excepted. It carries the torch in search of unity. It is a song of peace, a longing for survival. "Woman" breaks the divide and communicates to everyone.

It captured my soul.

Thank you

Although Woman is centered around the life and work of Dr. Bouthaina Shabaan, this film is not a story about her only. It is the story of all women, of all men, of all people who love their families, cherish their ancestry, and seek to make the world a better place. Everyone in the United States should see this film, because it provides a view of Syria and the Syrian people that is regularly denied us by the American media. There are no terrorists in this film, only hard working, well-meaning people who care about the sames things we all care about. The Syria that we see is beautiful, historic, and safe. The people we see are welcoming, generous, and kind. I thoroughly enjoyed the content of the film, and Dr. Shabaan is an excellent representative of the Syrian people. I feel like I know the country and the people through her, and I expect that she is but one of many, many extraordinary Syrian women.

Woman is one of those films that can actually put you under a spell. It is so beautiful in style and texture. The music is so haunting that you feel it piercing into depths of seas and heights of clouds all inside of your body. Sitting there among the crowded theater, you feel an independent journey as you forget your presence and are swept away to a whole new world. Only warm tears rolling down your cheeks without you intending to cry and smiles that fill your face without realizing the action. Dr. Shaaban is a rare human being that deserves a place in our hearts and a commitment to her cause and call for the one human family that must unite in peace and harmony while truly respecting each other's differences...even celebrating and embracing all of living things. That is a powerful message desperately needed in this time of lose and insanity. Bravo! Bravo! and a million thank you for reminding us of what is really important.

When I saw this film, I expected much less than I experienced. I was at a Film Festival, and the fare is always a very mixed bag.

Further, humans rights films tend to make someone out to be the bad guy, by implication if not outright accusation. There is none of that in this film, and that not only sets it apart from the tawdry finger-pointing of secular groups who cling to their alienation like a shield, but made it very clear from the outset that we were watching an astonishing woman living an extraordinary life.

The cinematography was beyond excellent. The coordination of visuals and music was intense.

The film implies something that is subtly revolutionary-- that the fault lies with an established way of thinking rather than a people, a way of thinking that is simply and terribly outmoded and inhumane. There is a delicate touch in showing the fault of a way of thinking that does not judge those that participate in it, and seeks to illuminate rather than accuse.

I have great respect for such an approach to social criticism. Changing people's minds is difficult enough without making them feel stupid or backwards.

By the end of the film, we had no choice but to be cheering Doctor Shabaan on, and to be genuinely excited that such people actually live and breathe. More than being a brilliant woman in a a misogynist culture, Doctor Shabaan is an Ambassador of Compassion in our human family. The film illustrated her beauty as a human being, and never crossed the easy lines into into the tempting areas of the geographic moral high moral ground or sensationalism.

In my opinion, this winner at the Beverly Hills Film Festival was most deserving of applause, bar none.

It is greatly unfortunate that the very people who should see this film are the same ones who would never watch it--and that will always be a matter of overwhelming tragedy to me.

I must admit, as an aside, that I am not a huge fan of documentaries. Two doses of Michael Moore and I had to have my stomach pumped. Not that Mr. Moore does not make good points--my problem is that his work is a set of money-makers packaged as awareness-raisers.

Contrapuntally, Mr. Hamzeh is making quality--with an economy of style and level of emotional evocation that is rare in any genre.

I HIGHLY recommend this film.

In 'Woman,' filmmaker Ziad Hamzeh, whom I was privileged to meet at the 2008 Beverly Hills International Film Festival, portrays a remarkable Arab woman's story.

Shot with complete faith in an extraordinary message, 'Woman' does not dazzle, or pummel the viewer with high-powered graphics, but rather focuses and complements the theme of universal human rights told by someone from a culture misunderstood by both "The West" and the repressive elements of her own culture.

This film depicts an individual's gentle triumph over discrimination, who is now spreading the word to women and men of every culture to look beyond the veil, not of stereotypically depicted Arab woman's dress, but of the pop-culture representation of Arab women depicted in our media.

An unusual presentation like meditation that delivers a soothing and touching experience. I found the style to be very interesting and appropriate means to start a process of healing among cultures. The film showed that we have a lot more in common than our differences. These issues that unite people in a worthy cause rather than create division that result in dangerous maneuvers. A very strong voice of reason and compassion. Dr. Shaaban should be honored for her stand as a guiding light to human evolution. Yet I must say that certain information I learned after the film bothered me quite a bit. As I looked around the screening room at the Beverly Hills Film Festival, I saw representation of all kinds of people who embrace such a provocative idea of a human family. But I was very disappointed to find out that not a single Arab person came out to endorse such great step into peace. I found that to be very disturbing since An Arab woman is the subject matter of this driving force. Your mind starts wondering into questioning such community about their true contribution to peace. A single voice is where leadership is born but a change takes great many to see it through. So where are you Arab people? It certainly make an audience member think deeply.