Synopsis

The film is a portrait of Ossama, a social worker who dances and teaches dance in the oriental belly dance tradition. Although a man teaching belly dancing is traditionally acceptable, to perform the dance is, to put it mildly, considered somewhat of a social faux pas.

The Palestinian Ossama came to The Netherlands to escape the difficulties between his faith and his sexuality. His dance is an expression of his passion for belly dancing and the freedom he found having moved to The Netherlands.

Credits:

Camera & edit: Esther Hertog
Visual Anthropology tutor: Metje Postma

This film is not online in order to protect the identity of Ossama, If you are interested in seeing this film please contact me.

Screenings

2006 – Beeld voor Beeld Festival, Netherlands,-Student competition
2007 – Bilan du Film Ethnographique,-Paris Student competition
2007 – 12ª Mostra Internacional do Filme Etnográfico,-Brazil Student competition

Ossama's Dance Documentary Esther Hertog