Measures of Distance

Overview

In this video, the artist tries to overcome the effects of distance, and reflects on geography represented in exile due to war, and on the psychological distance represented in each one’s approach to her womanhood. The video beautifully weaves personal images and audio recordings of a very intimate nature, binding the personal with the political. Reading aloud from letters sent by her mother in Beirut, Hatoum creates a visual montage reflecting her feelings of separation and isolation from her Palestinian family. The personal and political are inextricably bound in a narrative that explores personal and family identity against a backdrop of traumatic social rupture, exile and displacement.

Details

Status

Released

Release date

January 1, 1988

Original language

English

Spoken languages

English, Arabic

Countries

Canada, United Kingdom

Production

Western Front Video

Director

Mona Hatoum

Budget

Not recorded

Revenue

Not recorded

Homepage

Official site

IMDb

tt2090565