Basma

 

Basma

Basma, directed by filmmaker Samira Habib, is about Basma, a young Saudi woman navigating societal pressures while grappling with the desire for self-expression in a conservative environment and finding herself in an internal battle between her identity and her freedom.

In Basma, the protagonist faces a clash between her personal desires and the expectations imposed by her family and society. This "issue" is one that many young Arabs who are often torn between tradition and modernity suddenly find themselves in. These identity crises often happen much more after experiencing life abroad as Basma did when she went to study in California. This issue is highly relevant today, especially in parts of the Arab world where cultural and social changes are happening at a rapid pace. Due to the globalization we are experiencing and the strong influence some cultures have on others it is really difficult to maintain traditional values today. Basma in the film returns from living alone abroad to her country where she no longer has the freedoms she once had and where her family still does not consider her self-sufficient so the fact that she is not listened to by her family members frustrates her. This issue is important today because it is something that is emerging with the modernity of the world. Young people having to choose between their desire for freedom or following traditional social norms. “According to the Arab Youth Survey, more than 50% of Arab youth now prioritize personal freedom and autonomy over social expectations.” These types of problems are more common in large, modern cities than in rural areas.

This problem of identity crisis and not knowing if you are doing the right thing is not unique to Arab or Islamic countries. In fact, it is a very common problem for young people around the world. Many times, Western young people also find themselves in the dilemma of doing what they want or what their parents want. For some cultures, taking the desired path can be more difficult than for others, and many factors besides the norms stipulated by society are the cause of this. I personally think that every person should follow their dreams and what makes them happy. This is as long as their dreams do not disrespect their culture and do not go against their values and principles.

The director in this film wanted to portray a woman’s struggle to assert her identity in the face of societal constraints. The film’s strength lies in its ability to capture the complexity of balancing tradition with the pursuit of personal freedom, which gives young Arabs who are struggling with this type of mental crisis a kind of support by letting them know that this problem is more common than they think.