On MyKali's portrayal of the economic divide in Amman

mykalimag.com

Jordanian online magazine, My Kali, dubs itself as a publication dedicated to fighting "repressive forms, norms and stereotypes," one that is "imperceptible" and difficulty perceived by "narrow-minded" society. The nascent magazine also tackles women rights, personal politics, sexuality, freedom of speech, media and LGBTQ.

It's latest feature on Jordanian director, Widad Shafakoj, does achieve their ultimate goal of being provoking. MyKali sits down with Shafakoj to ask her about her fledgling career as filmmaker, her responsibility to present[ing] facts objectively without editorialising" as a documentary filmmaker, and whether or not she would ever "play lesbian role whose in a traumatic state" after learning that she has expressed interest in acting too. Moreover, she is asked about whether she's ever been in an awkward moment Amman, if she's ever "chilled at a café" on her own with a book or a magazine, and what she hates and loves about Amman.

Shafakoj muses on the way MyKali documented her "in a controversial-related subject": "We have means to connect to people differently now, and mentioning controversy in the ways that we are, is relatable, sweet on the eyes, and definitely easier to interpret. I'm all for it."

mykalimag.com

She wishes that people would accept each other, that people living in the palatial villas of Abdoun would come down from their pedestal and "accept" their impecunious neighbours living in flimsy makeshift homes, and that those poor and unfortunate people living in those obscure tents/shacks would march up the hills of Abdoun and rejoice with their Abdouni counterparts, coming together in an act of acceptance and tolerance. During the shoot, which the magazine gives credit to the Royal Film Commission for providing security for, Shafakoj felt "a new sense of openness and praise to what both Abdounis do" it was a fun experience for her, and not only that, she got to expose those two sides.

The interview then jumps to questions about Shafakoj take on appalling laws in Jordanian legislation, whether or not she thinks superwomen really exist, more stuff about homosexuality and what she thinks is the ideal house-warming gift for a gay couple who are moving in together.

The photo shoot merely mirrors the superficiality of the interview and the subject being interviewed. The editors seem to be so preoccupied with their impetuous goal of "making a statement" that they are willing to use other people's misery as a backdrop to their photo shoot. She on one hand, with her extravagant wardrobe, her hair well-coiffed, and her face all made up, while the subjects of her photo-shoot stand there, dressed the way they usually are, looking at her with their unfeigned bewilderment.