2021-09-24

A docu-fiction follows Doody (Badriah Ahmed) and Ansam Salem, Anhar’s niece and sister, who portray fictionalized versions of themselves as young women navigating contemporary Saudi society. Staged scenes of private moments, public appearances, and performances unfold as a cathartic journey from the real incident when Doody, after publishing a photo, faced mass bullying online and accusations from authorities. By blurring the boundaries between reality, the digital realm, and fiction, the film explores self-representation and survival. In the narrative, Doody repeatedly escapes into an avatar born from an Instagram filter, immersing herself in an alternate reality. This avatar becomes both a veil to break free from social conventions, reflecting the uncontrollable circulation of images today. The film stands as a poetic tribute with/to Doody, who passed away after its release, leaving her last words on the IG account @livingthefirelife_000zg.

Le Fresnoy