‘BYE BYE TIBERIAS’: A Mother-Daughter Journey Through Memory and Exile
Premiering at the 80th Venice International Film Festival and directed by Lina Soualem, ‘Bye Bye Tiberias’ is a deeply intimate and evocative documentary that delves into the life of her mother, Palestinian actress Hiam Abbass, whom many will recognize as Marcia Roy from Jesse Armstrong’s HBO series ‘Succession.’
The film is as much a tribute to Abbass as it is a meditation on the complexities of heritage. Born in the Palestinian village of Deir Hanna, Hiam Abbass left her home and family in the 1980s to pursue an acting career, eventually becoming a respected figure in global cinema. Yet, despite her success, the film reveals the underlying tension between her professional life and the personal sacrifices that came with leaving her roots behind.
Lina Soualem and Hiam Abbass in ‘Bye Bye Tiberias’
Soualem’s approach is refreshingly personal. She combines archival footage, family photos, and candid interviews to create a narrative that is both introspective and universally relatable. Through a lens of familial love and cultural reflection, she crafts a poignant exploration of identity, displacement, and the enduring bond between mothers and daughters.
While it begins with Hiam Abbass’s journey, the documentary also explores the generations of women who preceded her, particularly Abbass’s own mother, who remained in Palestine. There is something deeply moving about watching Soualem attempt to paint a portrait of her grandmother through the stories of her mother. This intergenerational dialogue brings to light the enduring impact of exile and the sense of longing that pervades the lives of those who are separated from their homeland.
Lina Soualem as a child with her mother, Hiam Abbass, and her grandmother
The emotional core of the film lies in the moments of vulnerability shared between Soualem and Abbass, whether on a balcony in the Palestinian village of Deir Hanna or at a kitchen table in Paris. These scenes are raw and honest, revealing the unspoken fears, regrets, and hopes that come with being part of a diaspora. Soualem’s voice and presence behind the camera adds an additional layer of depth, as she navigates her own identity while trying to understand her mother's choices.
The film is visually stunning with a cinematography that captures the essence of the landscapes—from the serene beauty of Palestinian villages to the urban hustle of European cities. The contrast between these settings underscores the theme of duality in Hiam Abbass's life, torn between her past and present, her public persona and private self.
Snapshot from one of Soualem’s archival footage clips in ‘Bye Bye Tiberias’
Ultimately, ‘Bye Bye Tiberias’ is more than just a biography. It’s a powerful exploration of what it means to belong, to leave, and to return. Soualem’s direction is both tender and subtle, allowing her quest to resonate with anyone who has ever grappled with the concept of home and identity. It will inspire viewers to search for old family photos and reflect on the faces of their ancestors, wondering what kind of people they were, evoking a sense of longing for the past while also celebrating the realisation that we hold the power to shape our own destiny.
We arrived late to the screening and missed the first two minutes of the film, so the cinema staff had to guide us to the nearest available seats in the dark to avoid disturbing anyone. Imagine my surprise when the lights came on during the credits in Sala Perla, and I discovered that I had been sitting right next to Lina Soualem’s close family and crew the entire time. I hadn’t realised we were at the premiere with the film’s team. Watching the documentary just two seats away from Hiam Abbass, who looked as moved as I was seeing her daughter’s finished film for the first time, made this mother-daughter journey even more memorable.