Two-screen film
(Rebecca segment 18’41” looped, Aunt segment 14’28” looped)
Estabrak Al-Ansari
Self-portrait with Aunt and Rebecca is a film about Estabrak coming out as lesbian in the context of her traditional Arab-Muslim family. Respecting her aunt’s wishes not to reveal her face (in line with cultural and religious rules), Estabrak films her aunt from behind, in the living room of their family home. Their dramatic conversation conveys Estabrak’s aunt’s struggle to balance two competing emotions: her desire to accept her niece as gay and the grave consequences such an acceptance would entail. This screen is juxtaposed with Estabrak’s lover Rebecca, filmed sitting topless on a bed. The hand-held camera reveals the intimacy shared by the two women as they speak candidly of their relationship in this deeply personal work.
Filmed by Estabrak
Location sound Jacqui Bellamy
Edited by Monica Rubio
