Shaima Al-Tamimi

For Al-Tamimi, the motivation in making this film stems from a profound frustration in witnessing simplistic and one-side narratives relayed about Yemen, a country that is constantly associated with war and humanitarian crises. In fact, journeys of migration started centuries ago when Yemen thrived as a hub for trade along the Incense Route, and in the aftermath of turbulence created by British colonial rule, leading up to today’s ensuing conflicts. She says, “It is important that our voices are heard, and more important to be in control of our own narrative.” With Don’t Get Too Comfortable, she aims to draw attention to Yemeni migration having begun many generations before the current war, encouraging recognition of the stories of migration and creating space for collective healing among Yemeni migrants and their descendants.