Voices of War: A Feminist Perspective of Arab Women in Contemporary War Films

Abstract

This research paper delves into how Arab women are portrayed in the context of war, with a particular focus on two films: Mosul (2019), directed by Matthew Michael Carnahan, and The Swimmers (2022), directed by Sally El Hosaini. Using a gendered perspective that incorporates feminist narratology, postcolonial theory, and trauma studies, the study investigates how women's voices, experiences, and emotional realities are depicted on screen during times of armed conflict and forced migration. It critically analyzes the concept of narrative authority who tells the story and from which viewpoint highlighting how this influences the visibility or invisibility of women in war cinema. The research indicates that although Mosul is closely tied to the Arab world and shares a meaningful narrative from the perspective of the Iraqi military, it tends to overlook women, presenting them only as victims of violence. Conversely, The Swimmers, directed by an Arab-British woman and inspired by the true stories of two Syrian sisters, elevates female voices, offering a more intimate, nuanced, and emotionally impactful representation of women's strength and suffering. By examining these two films, the paper emphasizes the need for culturally aware and gender-sensitive storytelling in visual media. Ultimately, this research calls for a more inclusive approach to cinema that acknowledges the emotional depth and lived experiences of Arab women in conflict zones.