The Poem We Sang - Testimonials

"The cinematography with the girl is stunning, blending various motifs, sources, and media seamlessly. The mix of archival footage and your own images is evocative, beautifully capturing historic moments. The black-and-white palette not only signifies the past but also collapses time, merging past and present. The sense of loss is visceral—a mourning for lost beauty and a transformed land. The film prompts a powerful response.

Wishing you success with its festival journey.”

A. H. Yael

"OMG -- so extraordinary -- it's a completely new film (well, it's got all the riches of the earlier versions -- but now new layers of nuance and history and visual poetry)"

John Greyson

"The lyrical flow of the images is so intense, the shooting is fantastic, the subject matter so heartfelt. Your camera style is so intimate and respectful and lyrical. The editing is crazy good, feels like you worked on this a long time. It's a very powerful work."

"She worked with such meticulous care and over long periods of time, almost impossible not to become married to ideas, methods, sequences, accompaniments, the magic you have created out of a lifetime of memories and encounters."

Mike Hoolboom

"Standing ovation, Annie—stunning work! Your singing gave me goosebumps. This is rich, original, and mesmerizing, seamlessly blending experimental and accessible elements. The layers of sound, images, timelines, and stories all worked beautifully together. The film feels fresh and contemporary, not the typical archival treatment. Your narration was clear, empowered, and the techniques used complemented the unspoken storytelling perfectly."

No critiques here—the film is polished, meticulously crafted, and well-researched, with rare images that connect past and present. This belongs on festival screens worldwide. Congratulations on this tremendous achievement, and I’m honored to see the TPFF logo in the credits. Mabrouk!"

Dania Majid

"I’m really so impressed Annie. You’ve added so much more texture to the film and filled it out with archive, recreations and a sound design that is both nostalgic and evocative. The animation is beautiful! I can only imagine the painstaking time and attention that went into it all.

What a tribute to your uncle, the people and the land, Annie. So well done."

Sherien Bersoum

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