Changing the Narrative Through Film and Representation With Cherien Dabis
Filmmaker Cherien Dabis joins Siti’s Stories for an honest, layered conversation about representation, intergenerational trauma, and why film became her way of telling stories with care and truth.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- What it was like growing up Arab in small-town America after the Gulf War feeling invisible and hyper-visible at the same time
- Why stories carry real power and how film became Cherien’s way of pushing back against harmful stereotypes
- A reflection on intergenerational trauma and how occupation touches every Palestinian family across generations
- How grief and anger can be transformed into creative work that honors humanity rather than explaining it
- Her latest film, All That’s Left of You, an intergenerational Palestinian film and how its production became a reflection of displacement itself
- A candid conversation about racism in Hollywood and the necessity of building your own spaces when systems refuse entry
- How hearing audiences say “I didn’t know, and now I see” continues to fuel this work
This conversation is about reclaiming narrative; about telling our stories as they are, without translation or permission, and honoring the humanity that has always been there.
🎬 All That’s Left of You - Screenings & Showtimes
https://www.watermelonpictures.com/films/all-thats-left-of-you
Connect with Cherien Dabis
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheriendabis/
Production Company: https://www.visibilityfilms.com
Connect with Siti’s Stories
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sitis.stories/
Website: https://www.sitisstories.com
