HAIYU – Rebel Singer Mariem Hassan & the Struggle for a Free Western Sahara

Directed by Anna Klara Åhrén, Brahim B. Ali, Mohamedsalem Werad, Alex Veitch
Duration 90’ | Fusha (Classical Arabic), Hassaniya Arabic & Spanish with English subtitles

In the Sahara Desert, the voice of one of North Africa’s greatest singers still echoes. A voice that has engaged and given hope to a forgotten struggle. Mariem Hassan’s life and music have been deeply affected by the ongoing tragedy committed to the Sahrawis throughout the colonial era, continuing up to this very day. Her songs have been given comfort and hope and have been used as a tool in the fight for independence in Africa’s last colony, Western Sahara.

The film is a product of a collaboration between the filmmaking collectives Saharawi Voice and RåFILM.

Representatives of the film will be present for Q&A.

Production Country, Year Western Sahara, Sweden, 2024
Produced by Saharawi Voice & RåFILM
Producers Anna Klara Åhrén, Brahim B. Ali, Mohamedsalem Werad, Alex Veitch
Directors of Photography Mohamedsalem Werad, Alex Veitch, Anna Klara Åhrén
Sound David Gülich
Music Mariem Hassan
Editor Anna Klara Åhrén
Distributed by Saharawi Voice & RåFILM

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