A Journey Into the World of Movies with director Hussam Jlilaty

In movies, a new world is born , where dreams come true , understanding is achieved , light is shed on the unknown , and problems are resolved , to what extent can the person create a new parallel world through his movies , that’s what we are going to uncover with the aspiring film director Hussam Jlilaty .

Hussam Jlilaty is an aspiring director that started his  journey into film direction in 2018 ,through a movie titled “ two winters ago”  that won the best film award at a festival in Romania , and recently he launched his new movie titled “I Could Have Lived Because Of You” that is ready to participate in film festivals. To know all about his movies and direction experience Syria Times decided to have a chat with Jlilaty and that’s how it went…

First, could you tell us more about your new movie , “I Could Have Lived Because of You,” and what ideas you want to present through this film?

“Through the film, I wanted to highlight the state of helplessness due to the obstacles and complications of bureaucratic life and the accompanying negative, devastating feeling of futility, especially in the post-war situation, and the accompanying disruption of the varying means of life, such as electricity, the internet, and all means of livelihood, to shed light on all those souls full of ambition and skills which are now contained within the walls of their rooms not being able to escape their ongoing situation to reach the world by presenting itself on social media platforms, also showing the repeated cases of failure in investing in these experiences and skills due to the lack of real support and real care within a positive environment that supports the growth of these skills and their transformation into professionalism, the situation has been made worse by the war and the devastation forcing these souls to reach a state of despair after originally being in a state of helplessness, where in the film we find a state of mutual helplessness between two cinematic generations that created this state of despair and that what I wanted to illuminate through this film.” Jlilaty explained.”

Your first film, “Two Winters ago,” won an award in Romania. What are the ideas that the film presents, and in your opinion, what are the factors that led to it winning the first award?

“The film was made in 2018 in partnership with the artist Wiamm Ismail and was filmed in Syria in a remote rural area, through this film, we tried to explore narrative and visual ideas and techniques, by filming in an unfinished rural house to indicate the cessation of time during wars, the courtyard was used as a stage, but far from any audience, which helped convey the feeling of the fear, anxiety, and loss that the war has left in the life of the artist, who began his career with the outbreak of a bitter conflict in his country, I believe that these factors and the sincerity of the presentation were the reason for it to obtain an award in Romania.”

You expressed your admiration for the work of Iranian director Abbas Kiarostami, what are the ideas and concepts in his works that attracted and inspired you?

“Of course I’ve seen all his works, Master Kiarostami constantly tried to redefine the language of film by involving the audience more actively, he sought to challenge traditional narrative structures and engage viewers in a different way through an emphasis on simplicity and his innovative use of still cameras and deep conversations in his films,Inspiring young filmmakers in Iran and abroad and encouraging them to express their opinions and personal stories through cinema, in his film (Taste of Cherry), existential themes such as life, death, and the human condition are explored, I loved this movie and I was very affected by it intellectually and emotionally, as I watched it approximately 20 times.”

I noticed that you are drawn to denying loneliness or the feeling of loneliness, as if you were able to cross over to the opposite feeling, which is companionship with oneself, for your own experience is it an automatic process or does it have specific steps to achieve it?

“I believe that imagination is a true companion for the filmmaker, it frees you from the constraints of reality and always helps you explore new ideas and concepts also challenges traditional standards by thinking outside the box, I believe that the filmmaker must be patient with himself and try and engage in self-reflection about his life, desires, and aspirations, journaling can be a powerful tool for exploring thoughts and feelings, perhaps this process of self-reflection helps develop a deeper relationship with oneself and with the artist’s inner world , also not to forget working on self-improvement, the constant search for personal growth, setting goals, learning new skills and expanding horizons also play an essential role in growing and developing new levels for the personality.”

What is your favorite movie or the movie that influenced you the most that you would recommend to others to watch and why?

“My favorite films are many, including the film (“The Mirror” by Andrei Tarkovsky), which is a masterpiece of storytelling,Tarkovsky’s use of cinematography is unparalleled, skillfully combining different visual elements,through camera movements, deliberate shot compositions, and stunning use of color and light, Tarkovsky transports viewers into a world of poetic beauty ,The film’s stunning images not only enhance the narrative, but also serve as a metaphor for the human experience,as he also seamlessly weaves together different time periods, memories and dreams, blurring the boundaries between reality and fantasy, besides the movie (“Separation” directed by Asghar Farhadi) “Separation” is of great importance because of its cultural exploration, human complexity, social commentary, and originality, through meticulous attention to detail and masterful storytelling, the film explores the complexities of human nature and the moral dilemmas that arise in Everyday life, Farhadi’s characters are multi-dimensional, each grappling with his own desires, conflicts, and vulnerabilities,through their interactions, the film delves into universal themes of truth, justice, feeling of guilt and the consequences of our actions.”

What are the things you wish existed in Syria regarding the world of directing that do not exist yet?

“I hope to see real support presented to young Syrian filmmakers because I do believe it is vital for the growth and development of the film industry in Syria, as it allows for cultural preservation, amplification of diverse voices, economic revitalization, promotion of social change, and international recognition ,through investing in these directors, we contribute to enriching the film industry in general and help create a platform for the world to see the true essence of Syria.”

Finally , Do you have advice for anyone who wants to enter the world of directing?

“There is a Saying or a metaphorical example by Master Kiarostami, speaking about a tree that has been displaced,he says, “In order to be international, you must first be local.” He continues, “If you took a tree from its root and planted it in a different place, would it be able to grow as much as it would have grown in that place?” The original one ? Will it have the same roots, the same leaves, the same ability to get shade for people?!”

Director Hussam Jlilaty took us into a journey through the mental worlds of movies , imagination and self discovery, and showed us a glimpse of the depth of the Syrian creative minds that need to see the light because they know how to inspire and make this world a better place.

Leen Al Salman