Dal’ouna – Come for Help is a film about dabke, a traditional Middle Eastern dance and it’s relation to (forced) migration. Dabke is explored through it’s original rural roots, as a means of resistance, a way to connect and as part of Dutch nightlife. The personal stories of Faris from Palestine, Tina from Lebanon and Amer, Joseph and Khaldoun from Syria show how their relationship with dabke evolved after leaving their home countries. Dal’ouna – Come for Help covers the topics: community, (forced) migration, transition, dance and intangible heritage.
Bio
Hi! I am Julia van Diepen a visual anthropologist with a background in social work. I grew up in a small white village but diversity has always piqued my interest. Once I moved to the Hague I learned more about the variety of experiences around me. My internship at Verhalenhuis Belvédère in Rotterdam has meant a lot in my work since I got to know a lot of newcomers from Syria and got introduced to dabke. Their motivation and liveliness inspire me to this day. As a researcher I enjoy working with ethnographic methods in combination with creative mediums such as film and analog photography. I enjoy observing people and let my curiosity guide me on topics of place, migration, identity and feeling at home.
