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Things Arab Men Say

This documentary paints a picture of Arab men that is vastly different from what we’re accustomed to. In this antidote to mainstream-media depictions of Arabs as terrorists and extremists, we get to meet Jay, Ghassan and their friends, who gather at Jamal’s Eden Barber Shop to discuss politics, religion and family over a cut and a shave. Often funny, sometimes sad, this engaging film documents the challenges these men face integrating into Canadian life while preserving their identity and culture.
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This documentary paints a picture of Arab men that is vastly different from what we’re accustomed to. In this antidote to mainstream-media depictions of Arabs as terrorists and extremists, we get to meet Jay, Ghassan and their friends, who gather at Jamal’s Eden Barber Shop to discuss politics, religion and family over a cut and a shave. Often funny, sometimes sad, this engaging film documents the challenges these men face integrating into Canadian life while preserving their identity and culture.

Cultural Diversity and Multiculturalism All subjects
Hot Topics All channels
  • writer
    Nisreen Baker
  • director
    Nisreen Baker
  • producer
    Bonnie Thompson
  • executive producer
    David Christensen
  • editor
    Hans Olson
  • director of photography
    Daron Donahue
    aAron Munson
  • additional camera
    Oliver Lessard
  • data management
    Oliver Lessard
  • sound recordist
    Larry MacDonald
    Garrell Clark
  • sound design
    John Blerot
  • music composer
    Ashraf El-Assaly
  • music performer
    Ashraf El-Assaly
  • online editor
    Kody Davidson
  • colourist
    Herman Ansink
  • closed captioning
    Steve Nichols
    Andy Toms
  • transcription
    Sharon Murphy
  • translation
    Nisreen Baker
  • production coordinator
    Jasmine Pullukatt
    Faye Yoneda
  • production supervisor
    Mark Power
  • marketing manager
    Leslie Stafford
  • program administrator
    Bree Beach
    Ginette D'Silva
  • centre operations manager
    Darin Clausen

Education

Ages 14 to 18

Study Guide

Guide 1

Notes

The participants in Things Arab Men Say are expatriates, displaced from their countries of origin because of war or civil unrest. How have they come to terms with making Canada home? Most documentaries focus on differences rather than common traits—how does the filmmaker show the shared experiences of the Arab diaspora in this group of men? If you had to leave your homeland, what would you miss the most? How does this documentary push viewers towards examining their own bias?

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Things Arab Men Say
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