New Scots: 5 Short Films by Young Syrian Refugees
A unique series of 5 short films created by young Syrian refugees in Scotland exploring their aspirations, journeys, challenges, dreams, fears, and futures.
Syrian Futures at The University of Edinburgh is an outreach program helping Syrian refugees navigate the education system in the UK and supporting them to accessing higher education and employment: www.alwaleed.ed.ac.uk/syrianfutures
Syrian Futures works closely with charities, local authorities, and the Scottish Government offering advice, co-delivering projects, providing translation and interpreting services, and evaluating projects post-delivery.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Syrian Futures and Media Education secured funding from the Scottish Refugee Council to support 8 young Syrians in creating five short films tackling stereotyping and prejudice and acknowledging refugee challenges here in Scotland. These films celebrate these New Scots' achievements, honor their creativity and help to challenge misconceptions about refugee communities in Scotland.
Thrive Edinburgh, an organization dedicated to helping human beings thrive and nurture their mental health also supported this great initiative, including it in their end-of-year conference.
These digital teaching materials were designed to aid teachers and educators in connecting Scots with New Scots.
These films can be used in High School settings to generate conversation and curiosity, tackle bullying and racism, reduce Islamophobia, and raise understanding and awareness of refugee experiences.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand what migration is, the reasons for it, how these journeys occur, and the social and emotional impact it can have on young people.
- Gain a better understanding of the personal cases of Syrian refugees, in order to humanise their experiences and understand the challenges they faced.
- Practice using many skills and subjects such as Geography, Film Studies, Modern Studies, politics, and religious education to understand the social experiences of migrants.
- Gain inspiration and bridge connections with people from different backgrounds in order to promote the British Values of Respect, Tolerance, and Individual liberty.
Ammar's story
Overview
This short film follows Ammar Albawab, an aspiring chef who tells us the story of his passion for cooking whilst also visually guiding us through a traditional Syrian recipe. This movie is aesthetically pleasing, with inspiring music and close-shot angles that bring us closer to Ammar’s past, the challenges he faced, his passion, and how arriving in the UK he is now able to dream big.
Questions for Discussion
- How does Ammar trace his story of arriving in Scotland?
- Why do you think Ammar has such a strong connection to cooking?
- How does cuisine link to culture and identity?
- What is Ammar’s dream, who does he mention and why do you think this is significant for a new migrant?
- What is the importance of family in this film, especially the relationship with his mother?
- How was making friends upon arriving for Ammar?
Our Life can change in one second
Overview
This film uses shadow puppets to recount Rawaa’s journey from Syria, to Lebanon and finally Scotland. The focus of the film is her school life, which could resonate with students anywhere. It addresses themes such as family separation and family responsibilities in new environments as well as counteracting stereotypes of girls’ education in Arab countries.
Questions
- What is the link between the title and the film’s message?
- Why do you think the production team did not try to correct the English grammar in the film?
- Who in the family had to leave school and provide for Rawaa? How does that counteract stereotypes that Muslim girls are not educated?
- What is the symbolism of the shadow puppets in telling this story?
- How do you think family separation still impacts Rawaa and her today?
In Conversation with G, T and S
Overview
This short film puts forward a private conversation between three girls asking each other questions about their experiences as refugees and arriving in Scotland. The girls pick questions out of a glass bowl and pour their hearts out. It addresses many themes of moving, hopes and education, language barriers, making friends and social life, and funny expectations before arriving.
Questions for Discussion
- What is the impact of the camera being angled from the back?
- Everyone has misconceptions and stereotypes, what were their stereotypes about Scotland? What does that imply about human nature and how we can learn through experience?
- The girls expected everyone to have blue eyes and short hair, what kind of funny, similar expectations did you have for Syrians?
- How do you think their journeys influenced their future aspirations of being a policewoman and working in psychology and biomedicine?
Portrait of Change
Overview
This short film follows a group of 8 Syrian friends in Edinburgh on a sunny afternoon. As the visuals show them socialising, playing football, and conversing the voiceover goes into the details and the emotions of their personal experiences arriving in Scotland. They address many themes such as family, friendships, language barriers, anxieties, future dreams, and the hijab.
Questions for Discussion
- What do you think the link is between the title and the stories told in this movie?
- Why is that particular filter added to this short film?
- What is particularly relatable in this film to viewers?
- How is the idea of ‘Outsiders’ mentioned in the film?
- What is the importance of friendship in this film?
- Why are these New Scots separated from their families?
- What stands out about the Hijab (Veiling)?
- What emotions do you sense from these young people?
My Stand
Overview
This film sheds light on the feminine experience of beauty, appearance, and modesty. My stand is Esraa’s story of trying to balance her right to religion and her passion for being a hairdresser. It explores how being steadfast with her morals and staying kind and respectful she was able to pursue her dreams. This film explores invisible Islamophobia, the type of hate of Islam that is not violent but impacts refugees and British Muslims more commonly.
Questions for Discussion
- Why do you think Esraa faced the challenge of being asked to remove her Hijab?
- What do you think about the way she handled the situation?
- Where do you think Esraa has more memories from?
- Do you think this audio was done in one take or edited? Why?
- What kind of culture shock do you think Esraa experienced?
- Have you ever had to stand for what you believe in?
- What examples of Invisible Islamophobia can you think of?