Alaa Chnana
Filmmaker. Photographer. Translator.
Bridging Worlds Through Art
My journey is one of constant translation—not just between languages, but between images and emotions, reality and cinema. Based in Damascus, I have dedicated my life to capturing the human condition in its most raw and authentic forms.
As a filmmaker and photographer, I view the lens as a tool for truth. Whether documenting the resilience of refugee children or crafting narrative films that explore the depths of the human psyche, my work seeks to give voice to the silenced and visibility to the unseen.
Beyond the visual, I am a bridge between Latin America and the Arab world. Through my translations of literary giants like Mario Benedetti, Eduardo Galeano, and Roberto Bolaño, I have brought the revolutionary spirit and magical realism of Latin American literature to Arabic readers, fostering a profound cultural dialogue that transcends borders.
Filmmaking
Crafting visual narratives that challenge perceptions. From documentaries to feature films, cinema is my medium for exploring complex social and personal realities.
Photography
Freezing moments of truth. My photography focuses on the human element, finding beauty and dignity in the everyday struggles and triumphs of life.
Translation
Connecting cultures through words. Translating the works of Latin American masters into Arabic, creating a literary bridge between two rich traditions.
Exhibitions & Moments
Córdoba 2017
Held in the most prominent squares of Córdoba, Spain, this exhibition displayed images of children in refugee camps, shedding light on the suffering caused by the tyranny and despotism of one of the worst regimes. By bringing these stories to public spaces, the work forced a confrontation with the human cost of oppression.
Parliament of Córdoba 2017
An impactful exhibition hosted within the Parliament building of Córdoba. This installation brought the suffering of refugee children directly to the center of political discourse, using visual storytelling to expose the consequences of tyranny and displacement to decision-makers and the public alike.
City Hall of Córdoba 2017
A significant exhibition hosted at the City Hall of Córdoba, Spain. This event brought together community members and officials to witness the realities of displacement. Through powerful imagery and immersive projections, the exhibition transformed the civic space into a forum for empathy and awareness, highlighting the urgent need for solidarity with refugees.
Drag the slider to compare the original photo with the mural
Faculty of Fine Arts 2017
A collaborative project with the Faculty of Fine Arts in Córdoba, where a large-scale mural was created to honor the resilience of refugees. This artistic intervention transformed a public wall into a permanent testament to the power of art as a tool for social awareness and memory.
"The gaze of the child in the photograph became the soul of the mural, reminding every passerby of the humanity behind the headlines."
Radio Interview in Córdoba 2016
A heartfelt radio interview in Córdoba discussing empathy and the solidarity of Spanish society and political forces with the suffering of Syrian refugee children. This conversation highlighted the power of community support and the shared human responsibility to stand against injustice.
Centro Cívico de Vallehermoso 2016
A screening of the film "No Signal" followed by a talk at the Centro Cívico de Vallehermoso in Córdoba. The event focused on the suffering of refugee children, fostering a deep conversation about displacement, resilience, and the role of cinema in bearing witness to humanitarian crises.
Casa Árabe, Córdoba
A lecture and discussion held at Casa Árabe in Córdoba, featuring students from the University's Photography Department, professors, and the Director of Casa Árabe. The event focused on the Syrian situation, fostering an academic and artistic dialogue about the role of photography in documenting conflict and preserving memory.
University of Granada 2017
An academic and artistic exhibition held at the prestigious University of Granada. The event combined photography with lectures and discussions, engaging students and faculty in a critical dialogue about the Syrian crisis, the role of art in conflict, and the responsibility of the global community.
I believe a single frame holds the same narrative power as a poem or a novel—capable of cutting like a sharp knife against injustice, yet serving as a sacred recorder of life’s most delicate moments.
Alaa Chnana