Tahani Rached. Politischer Dokumentarfilm in Québec im Spannungsfeld von Transnationalität und lokalem Engagement

Abstract

The documentaries by Egyptian-Quebecois director Tahani Rached, mostly funded by the National Film Board / Office national du film, combine a transnational reference to social space with local engagement. They address migration, social work and inequality. Her portraits, which are close to her subjects, allow them to have a voice and actively contribute to their self-empowerment. Based on an analysis of the films Les Voleurs de job (1980) and Haïti (Québec) (1985), this article shows how Rached inscribes the experiences of migrants into existing Quebec self-narratives, thereby shifting them transculturally. Rached’s films are also suitable for teaching in schools, as they offer authentic, motivating content that promotes intercultural skills and media literacy. They are available free of charge on the NFB platform.