The Camera as a Public Place and the Portrayal of the Mundane in Saudi Women’s Videos (original) (raw)

Abstract

This research documents a video course taught in a Saudi university, where students, with no experience in video production, learned to create narrative and biographical videos based on their daily lives. Coming from conservative backgrounds, the students resorted to creative solutions to overcome the challenge of visual representation without compromising their traditions or values. During my interviews with students, it was evident that the camera was considered a “public eye”. Video, as a medium, became a public space in which representation were shaped by potential audiences. Accordingly, various cinematic techniques were re-appropriated from mainstream cinema and tailored to suit this culture. These techniques included the use of close-up on background settings, hands while working or feet while walking. Other techniques included the use of silhouettes and shadows. The use of the first person point of view was also a popular and intuitive choice. Another common technique was use of children to play the role of adults, often influencing the narrative. For example, the story may be framed as a childhood memory. Clay stop-motion dolls and animations were also another common way of substituting the self visually. This research aims to contribute to the body of scholarly studies that document the use of video as a creative tool for storytelling among this young group.

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