CAREER HIGHLIGHT(S):
Born in France with Syrian origins, Soudade studied filmmaking at Saint
Joseph University Lebanon. Her first feature fiction film THE DAY I LOST MY SHADOW was awarded
The Lion of The Future Award for Best Debut Film at the Venice Film Festival 2018
TWELVE-MONTH HIGHLIGHT(S):
Her feature film NEZOUH was screened at the BFI London
Film Festival 2022 and won the Armani Beauty Audience Award and Best Film in the Orizzonti Extra
section at the 79th Venice Film Festival, where it world premiered.
What character do you identify with?
I usually identify with anti-hero characters.
Who’s your hero?
I don’t believe in heroes; I believe in human beauty with all its flaws and complexities.
What’s the industry’s most troubling trend?
Non-authenticity in casting actors.
What was your first job?
I worked in the opera house of Damascus as co-director of the Drama Theater but didn’t find myself in administrative work, so I quit once I started working as a film director.
What’s your secret daily habit or guilty pleasure?
I like very slow lazy mornings, in which I take my time drinking my black coffee and reading a book.
What’s the last great show or film you watched?
I don’t watch TV at all. I watch a film per day, so it’s tough just to name one. My favorite films are still Omar Amiralay’s documentaries and Yargos Lanthimos fiction films.
What would have been your dream job if you didn’t end up doing what you’re doing?
I’m doing exactly what I couldn’t even believe or dream of doing: directing films.
