This post was written by Maddy Bersch, a sophomore Flagship student.
A while back, I attended a screening of “Microphone” at the Arabian Sights Film Festival in DC. The Egyptian film, which had won many awards including the “Best Arabic Movie” at the Cairo International Film Festival, was set in Alexandria, where we will all be spending some time after our respective graduations from Maryland.
The main character of the film, Khaled, spent several years in the US away from his family, but recently returned. He hoped to win back the woman he loves, but he is unsuccessful. He also hoped to mend his relationship with his father, although this is more successful. Along the process of re-acclimating to his hometown, Khaled becomes entwined in the underground Alexandrian music scene, and decides to make a documentary about the youth creating this music.
The most amazing thing about this film (sort of a documentary, too) was that the only real “actor” in the film was Khaled Abou El Naga, who played the protagonist Khaled. All the musicians in the film were actual Alexandrian musicans! These musicians did not have a script; rather, El Naga responded to what they were saying.
Besides just being an enjoyable film, this screening also opened up for me a new possibility in using my Arabic speaking ability.
Most of us Flagship students (or Flagship hopefuls) have a concrete plan in mind for what we want to do after graduation, and how exactly we plan to use Arabic in our careers. A good number of us hope to work for an agency; many want to work with NGOs; and others plan to do aid work abroad. Many of us likely came to Arabic through a desire to attain our future career goals—for example, learning Arabic because it will help in a position with the State Department. We’re all very focused on the future—which is great!—but sometimes we may not realize all the other doors opened by our Arabic abilities. There are so many things we can do because we speak Arabic! Attending the screening of “Microphone” showed another opportunity; what will show you?
