Like a Spiral

Like a Spiral unfolds as a dialogue between Beirut and five female migrant domestic workers living under the Kafala system. After the 2020 Beirut port explosion, many of the women were abandoned by fleeing employers, left without shelter or protection. Rising through grainy images, their voices carry memories shaped by oppression and resilience, reclaiming presence through testimony and movement.

Lamia Chraibi: ‘My initial intention was to give a voice to the marginalised people impacted by the Beirut port explosion. During my fieldwork, I discovered that migrant domestic workers bore the brunt of the explosion, but [they] remained the most invisible. They have to cope with their lack of rights and the structural racism with which they are constantly confronted.

For reasons of anonymity, a dialogue was established between them (sound) and Beirut (image). Through the materiality of film, I wanted to create an echo between their stories and this crumbling city.

Because of my migratory background, I understood the complexity of their relationship with a country that sees them as foreigners, their sense of uprootedness, and their gradual loss of attachment. I was deeply moved by the testimonies of these women, admiring their courage and inspired by their solidarity.’