Watch We Are Not Princesses

We Are Not Princesses is a touching and inspiring documentary film that explores the lives and experiences of a group of Syrian women living as refugees in Lebanon. At its core, the film is a testament to the resilience and strength of these women, who have endured unimaginable hardships and yet remain full of hope and determination.

Directed by Bridgette Auger and Itab Azzam, the film takes us on a journey through the lives of several Syrian women as they navigate the challenges of living in exile. Through their stories, we see what it means to be a refugee, and how the experience of displacement can impact every aspect of one's life.

At the heart of the film is the story of Antigone, a young Syrian woman who is living in Beirut and working as a hairdresser. Antigone is passionate about theater, and in particular, the ancient Greek story of Antigone, which she sees as a reflection of her own struggle for freedom and independence. Throughout the film, we see Antigone working with other Syrian women to stage a production of the play, using their own experiences as refugees to give the story new meaning and relevance.

Alongside Antigone's story, the film introduces us to a diverse cast of women, each of whom has a unique perspective on the challenges of being a refugee. We meet Hoda, a mother of four who fled Syria with her family and now struggles to support them on the meager income she earns cleaning houses. We also meet Heba, a young woman who dreams of becoming a writer but is struggling with the trauma of her past.

Throughout the film, we see the women supporting each other, sharing their stories and their struggles, and finding strength and hope in each other's company. We also see the power of art and creativity, as the women work together to create their production of Antigone, using their own experiences as fodder for the play's themes of justice, freedom, and sacrifice.

One of the most powerful aspects of the film is its portrayal of the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity. Despite the challenges of living as refugees, the women in We Are Not Princesses remain full of hope and determination, finding solace in their own creativity and in the support of each other.

Another key theme of the film is the portrayal of the strength and agency of women, particularly in the face of patriarchal societies and systems. Throughout the film, we see the women grappling with the ways in which their gender influences their experience of displacement, and how it can also be a source of power and resilience.

Overall, We Are Not Princesses is a deeply moving and powerful film that highlights the resilience and strength of Syrian women living as refugees in Lebanon. Through the stories of these women, we are reminded of the importance of empathy, creativity, and connection in the face of hardship, and the ways in which our struggles and our stories are interconnected.

We Are Not Princesses is a 2020 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 14 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.3.