Khalil Al-Sakakini's poem ‘We Are a Proud Nation' revived through film and song
The film was produced and co-written by Annie Sakkab and Paul Lee in collaboration with B707 Productions.
The patriotic poem We Are a Proud Nation ( نحن قوم آبيونا ), written by revered Palestinian intellectual and revolutionary Khalil Al-Sakakini, has been released as a musical piece on YouTube and streaming platforms. This follows a screening of The Poem We Sang , a short film by Annie Sakkab, at the Khalil Sakakini Cultural Center on January 21st to celebrate Al-Sakakini's birthday. The screening featured a lively Q&A with the director, offering a deeper dive into the cultural and historical significance of the poem.
To mark the song's release, an orchestral performance of We Are a Proud Nation was held two days later at Ramallah's Forum of Expertise, symbolising the enduring spirit of Palestinian pride and resistance.
Directed by Annie Sakkab, The Poem We Sang explores the history and cultural significance of We Are a Proud Nation , a nearly forgotten anthem of Palestinian identity. Inspired by the song her father and uncle sang to her as a child, Sakkab reimagines the poem as a gift to Palestine, reclaiming its legacy for future generations. The 20-minute experimental short blends black-and-white and colour visuals to convey themes of displacement, longing and the healing power of art.
Khalil Al-Sakakini's poetry has long been a cornerstone of Palestinian identity. Written shortly after the Balfour Declaration, We Are a Proud Nation became a rallying cry for resistance. In a letter to his son in 1936, Al-Sakakini prophetically declared, 'We are a proud nation… when tyranny persisted, we became mad, and they faced from us what they had never anticipated.' These words remain deeply resonant in the context of ongoing struggles for justice and freedom.
This dual celebration—featuring both the song and the film—highlights the power of art, poetry and music in preserving cultural heritage. The events are also being streamed live on the Khalil Sakakini Cultural Center's digital platforms, offering a global audience the chance to connect with the unbreakable bond between memory, music and homeland.
The Poem We Sang had its world premiere at the Hot Docs International Documentary Festival in Canada and has since been showcased at over 40 international festivals, including the Vancouver Short Film Festival, Toronto Arab Film Festival, and DocEdge. The film has garnered numerous awards, including the Jury Special Mention at the Herceg Novi Film Festival and Best Experimental Short Film at the Nazra Short Film Festival.
The film was produced and co-written by Annie Sakkab and Paul Lee in collaboration with B707 Productions. Sakkab also directed, filmed, edited and narrated the project, with Celina and Hanna Sakkab starring. MAD Distribution handles the film's sales and distribution in the MENA region, while the National Film Board of Canada oversees its Canadian distribution.
Annie Sakkab, a Palestinian-Jordanian-Canadian filmmaker and photojournalist, is known for her long-form narratives focusing on women's issues, identity and social justice. Her first short documentary, Hollie's Dress , premiered at Hot Docs in 2020 and won 15 awards across 48 festivals.
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