The Lost Pioneer: Why Jocelyne Saab’s Legacy Matters Now More Than Ever

Mohanad Yaqubi’s latest film, Revolutionaries Never Die, is a cinematic homage to Lebanese filmmaking pioneer Jocelyne Saab. Her work has been largely overlooked despite its significance, and Yaqubi’s film serves as a testament to her enduring legacy.

Yaqubi’s connection to Saab’s archive began with a restoration project, but it soon became clear that her films held more than just historical value. After his house in Gaza was destroyed, Yaqubi notes the parallels between Saab’s depiction of war and displacement in the 1970s and his own experiences in Gaza today.

Saab’s legacy extends beyond her individual work to the larger cultural context in which she made her films. As Yaqubi observes, “She was this living memory of what was going on, and the film is basically about the work and the life of Jocelyne Saab as a living archive.” This emphasis on the personal and the political is precisely what makes Saab’s films so relevant today.

The male-dominated film industry has contributed to Saab’s relative obscurity. Yaqubi attributes this to the tendency for women like Saab, who make films that challenge dominant narratives, to be overlooked. “It’s also related to this society that is based on the male gaze at the end of the day, even when it comes to topics of liberation,” he notes.

Yaqubi’s own experiences as a filmmaker in Gaza have given him a unique perspective on the importance of Saab’s work. He wonders whether he can continue making films committed to social change. “What does it mean to be a committed filmmaker?” he asks. “It’s as if a decision has been made that I can’t make anything unless I’m committed to films for liberation, in a sense.”

The ongoing conflicts and atrocities in the Middle East have left many filmmakers questioning whether their work is making any difference at all. As Yaqubi notes, “It’s the same ideologies that enable these atrocities. So how are we going to move on from here?”

In this context, Revolutionaries Never Die becomes a powerful statement about the ongoing struggle for social change. By cutting through repetition and disrupting it, Yaqubi creates a new narrative that acknowledges the cyclical nature of history while still holding onto hope.

Saab’s films were made during a time of great upheaval in the Middle East, yet they remain remarkably relevant today. Her depiction of war and displacement is all too familiar to audiences who have lived through similar experiences in Gaza or other conflict zones. What makes her work significant is not just its historical value but also its ability to capture the complexities of human experience during times of crisis.

Yaqubi’s determination to continue making films that challenge dominant narratives, despite the challenges he faces as a filmmaker in Gaza, serves as a testament to his commitment to social change. Revolutionaries Never Die is not just about Jocelyne Saab or Mohanad Yaqubi; it’s about the power of cinema to challenge dominant narratives and inspire social change.

In acknowledging the significance of Saab’s legacy, filmmakers can begin to imagine new ways of telling stories that challenge dominant narratives and inspire social change. Revolutionaries Never Die is a reminder that women like Jocelyne Saab are not just pioneers but also part of a larger movement for social justice.