Narrative Animation
Joumana Ismail
Joumana is an all visual artist from Syria with a BA in graphic design. She has eight years’ experience in branding and advertising in Dubai under her belt, working on campaigns ideation, illustration and production. However, storytelling has always been her truest goal and the RCA was her first choice of honing her skills in pursuit of that passion.
Joumana's interest lies in narrative storytelling, especially fantastical Syrian folktales. Along with documentary works focused on current societal issues engulfing the Middle East as a whole. Her curiosity in exploring various animation styles and techniques evident in all her work. Every project is uniquely inspired by different art movements and literary work.
Sponsors
RCA Continuation Fund Bursary
Joumana’s main theme of research and body of work is her Arabic culture and heritage. She aims to utilize the huge amount of literature and retell it in various forms and styles. To revisit and address those stories from a critical female perspective. Joumana’s interests lie mostly in societal stories and issues although, political and religious factors seem to often surface along. Her works also feature themes such as childhood nostalgia, female empowerment and perseverance packaged in characterful stories.
The future holds more sociologically focused work as an attempt to break through the censorship walls surrounding the Middle East. Joumana aspires to work on humanitarian causes dear to her such as refugees and children rights, the female experience and all that is culturally taboo. All while adhering to her curiosity of exploring various styles and animation techniques for every new project she takes on.
The film takes the audience on a chronological visual journey from the earliest drawings Joumana could find to this date. Starting the conversation with her half-sister, Ghalya, as they search their memories on the topic. Ghalya never lived in Saudi Arabia and did not go through the same experiences. Together they unfold when Joumana stopped drawing the line and why. The film concludes in a reflective monologue given by the director on how she made peace with the line, and how she was able to utilize it to create the very thing she was forbidden to do; bringing drawings to life by becoming an animator.
Voices:
Child- Adnan Ismail
Interview-Joumana Ismail & Ghalya Farahat
PASSWORD: drawingtheline
