Elias Matar: Giving a Voice to the Displaced

Last week, Poly had the honor of hosting Syrian American filmmaker Elias Matar for the last GIP event of the year. Matar, having spent his early years in the US, cultivated a passion for and affiliation with his Middle Eastern heritage pushing him to take initiative to help displaced Syrians. He went on to found the Lighthouse Peace Initiative, an organization that aims to ameliorate the living conditions of people in need. As an extension of his program, Matar was able to establish the Manara Center.

The Manara Center aims to help teens, as often times this demographic is not the focus of local community organizations. Elias Matar explained that teenagers in the area are often displaced, married young, or work young and therefore are no longer able to pursue school. In providing a safe space for some of the most vulnerable youth, Matar gives many displaced teens the opportunity to make their voices heard.

During the event, Matar showed us two snippets of his students' films. While one film focused on a young man and woman's wedding and the joyful and traditional festivities that ensued, the second focused on heritage and identity through a box of family heirlooms. Both films were touching as they plunged into the nature of the human soul. The wedding depicted the contrast between a conflicted setting and a resilient and vibrant people, and the family history lesson dove into the uprooting impact of displacement but the strength of people who endure. After the screenings, we had a chance to ask the students a few questions. Their thoughtful replies unveiled vulnerability and thoughtfulness as well as their collective passion to explore the world and make change.

Overall, Matar and his students taught the Poly community loads about art and human nature. From Matar's experience setting up this program to the students honest interviews about their upbringing, this GIP event undoubtedly raised the bar very high. Towards the end of the interview, Matar mentioned that his hopes for the future of the Manara Center is to grow internationally, giving the displaced people the chance to express their voices all over. Thank you Elias Matar!