Edward Said on Film

April 20, 2004 10:43 AM

I'm looking for documentary films about Edward Said. Preferably, I want something biographical about him, not films that feature him talking about issues. I'm already aware of several [listed inside] but if anyone can locate others, I'd be very grateful.

I'm already aware of these:

Selves and Others: A Portrait of Edward Said (this one is definitely along the right track. If there are other recently-made documentaries about the man, I can't find them).

These two also look interesting, but are more along the "issues" track, which I'm less interested in.
In Search of Palestine
A four-hour interview with him, the 'title' of which is unclear.

Any and all suggestions appreciated!

posted by scarabic to Media & Arts (5 answers total)

Out of place : a memoir may interest you. Originally broadcast on BookTV, it's a speech he gave in 1999. Here's a summary:

Mr. Said talked about his book, Out of place: a memoir, published by Knopf. He talked about growing up in Jerusalem, Cairo, Lebanon and the United States. He described his personal development as a critic and thinker and his books about both the East and the West. He also reflected on his childhood as a displaced Christian Palestinian and his move to the U.S. After his prepared remarks he answered questions from the audience.
posted by initapplette at 12:22 PM on April 20, 2004

i was in ny and we were staying near a university - don't know which, but it was famous - and presumably said either works or worked there, because the uni bookshop had a lot of stuff on him. you might want to try contacting that shop (if this info is sufficient to get you started!).
posted by andrew cooke at 1:44 PM on April 20, 2004

What do you need the documentary film for? Showing it to a group? Because Out of Place (the book) is quite good, and a personal reflection on his life which he began when he was in the hospital for cancer treatment. So, if it isn't for public display (and I assume it is, because of the specificity of your question) or something similar, then you should check out the book. It's only as political as a memoir written by someone deeply involved in and opinionated about the “situation” would be, by which I meant it isn't as political as I expected (like the title suggests, it's more about the experience of being part and yet not part of the various cultures he felt some kinship to).

And, just to state give two pieces of biographical information, Edward Said is dead, and he worked at Columbia.
posted by Gnatcho at 9:33 PM on April 20, 2004

bummer. missed that. sorry.
posted by andrew cooke at 9:16 AM on April 21, 2004

Response by poster: I'm on the film selection committee for the 2004 Arab Film Festival of the SF Bay Area. Edward Said was on our advisory board when he died on opening night of last year's festival. We'd like to screen something about him to follow on the event of his death. The more recently made, the more likely it might cover his actual passing, and his views on world events up until that time.

Thanks everyone for the good suggestions, and please don't hesitate to add more if you come across something good.
posted by scarabic at 10:18 AM on April 21, 2004