My Paper Life (Ma vie en papier)

Name: My Paper Life (Ma vie en papier)
Director: Vida Dena
Released: 2022

Vida Dena 2022

Vida Dena’s feature documentary debut, My Paper Life, is an intimate and subtly expansive portrait of a Syrian family living in a house in Brussels that seldom leaves the confines of its four pink walls. Dena’s film focuses on the two eldest daughters, Hala and Rima and the family’s growing collection of drawings and dreams. Surrounded by sketches, the young women recall their journey and their home, their plans to study and to marry, and what other possibilities they hope this new life might have in store.

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Running Time:

77 min.

Spoken Languages:

Arabic, French

Subtitles:

Dutch, English, French, Italian

Directors:

Vida Dena

Producers:

Hanne Phlypo, Eugenie Michel Villette

Cinematographers:

Vida Dena

Editors:

Lenka Fillnerova, Frederic Fichefet, Sophie Vercruysse

Production Companies:

Clin D’Oeil Films, Les Films du Bilboquet

Arts and Culture

European History

Family

Immigration and Migrat..

Middle Eastern Studies

Press

Business Doc Europe

An elegant and insightful blend of childlike art, music and observation helps elevate Vida Dena’s documentary My Paper Life (Ma vie en papier) to something rather special, and helps deliver a thoughtful and warm immersion into the thoughts, memories and present-day realities for a Syrian family who have escaped the war and are now living in Belgium

Mark Adams
Back Seat Mafia

An intimate and affable portrait - a highly empathetic piece of documentary filmmaking.

Rob Aldam

Festival Participation

Visions du Réel - 2022
Winner Interreligious award, International Competition
Millenium International Documentary Film Festival
Sheffield Doc Fest
Salina Doc Fest
Festival Dei Popoli
IDFA Best of Fest

Additional Materials

Film Poster

Distribution Company

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A tender portrait of a Syrian family in Brussels, largely confined to four pink walls. Daughters Hala and Rima reflect on the past and imagine their future, surrounded by drawings that trace dreams of home, study, marriage, and new beginnings.