Documentary film from Dubai filmmaker Olga Sapozhnikova promotes understanding of East and West through the stories of four extraordinary women, told in their own words, who have flourished in traditionally male dominated Arab culture.
For anyone seeking genuine, first-hand insight into the role of women in today’s Arab society, and what Arabic women can truly accomplish within Arabic society, “Hidden Beauty” is a powerful, must-see film.
The film begins by portraying the outward beauty of Arab women, but then transcends their physical beauty and enters the very soul of today’s Arabic women.
In only twenty-six minutes, filmmaker Olga Sapozhnikova profiles the lives of four beautiful, strong, resilient women who have proven themselves on their own terms within the traditionally male dominated Arab society. Shot in Dubai, the film reveals the lives of Sapozhnikova’s “heroes.” The first three women profiled are Arab women who have created impressive lives for themselves.
The first heroine is Jamilya, who is the only woman in UAE who works with four hundred men in an ambulance service, and who has saved many people from fires, accidents and collapsed buildings. Her story was so inspiring, that the ruler of Dubai, His Royal Highness Sheikh Mohammed Maktoum, came to her home to personally express his gratitude for her service to the country. Being the single mother of five children, she shares her opinions on the beauty of women, especially Arabian women.
The second is Rym, an accomplished journalist who has traveled the world, and dreams of someday sharing herexperiences with her children.
Next is Ahlam, from Saudi Arabia, who is now a successful investor who left Saudi Arabia with her three children; the youngest one was only two months old and was mentally challenged. She had very little money except for a small amount given to her by her parents for breakfast. She started her life from zero, but she was determined to help her daughter and she wanted to become a strong and independent woman. She fulfilled her dream and starting out as a secretary, she became a multi-millionaire. All the while, she felt that she missed the East, and so she came back from the West and shares her opinion of what is beauty to her after experiencing so many things in her life.
The fourth woman profiled is Joanna. Her story begins with her reasons for her decision to leave her native Finland, and move to the Gulf to find an Arabic man to marry, adopting and embracing Arabic culture in the process.
Many Arab women are hesitant to discuss personal issues with anyone, much less a documentary filmmaker, but Sapozhnikova earned each woman’s trust, and helped them to open up and share their true, inner feelings. In the West, women have re-examined and questioned the role that marriage plays in their lives. But in traditional Arab culture, it is still most important for a woman to be married and have children. One of Sapozhnikova’s “heroes†has five children, yet she is recognized as one of the most respected people in the country in her field. Sapozhnikova notes “Being a mother does not stop her from being successful. On the contrary, she receives extraordinary career and personal support from her children.â€
Hailing from Russia, Olga Sapozhnikova served as a Russian diplomat in Japan. After a six year stint with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Russia, she developed an interest in filmmaking.
Her first film “Harem” was about famous UAE women and has been telecast on Russian television.
Sapozhnicova is intrigued by the roles of both men and women in contemporary Arab culture. “It is a privilege to be a woman in a society where the man assumes the responsibility of protecting the woman. So no matter how successful she becomes, she still knows she can fall back on someone.”
“Hidden Beauty” is a story she was compelled to tell. “My movie is an inspiration to those who feel they lack opportunities. My film will show them that anything is possible.”
