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Virgin with a Memory: The Exhibition Tie-In
Composed of the novelisation of the script for Sophia Al-Maria’s unmade feature film Beretta, this book is composed of a cornucopia of material including emails, budgets, kit-lists, schedules, sketches, storyboards, headshots and excerpts from the script all illustrating what can happen when a young filmmaker’s creative process comes into contact with the crushing forces of politics and money. Published on the occasion of the exhibition Sophia Al-Maria: Virgin With A Memory at Cornerhouse, Manchester, 6 September – 2 November 2014.
- GenresNonfiction
192 pages, Paperback
First published June 19, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
July 4, 2022
AMAZING!!!
I picked this up for the Invisible Cities project June 2022 (Qatar), and I am so so so pleased. Prior to doing a google search for authors from Qatar I had never heard of Sophia Al-Maria and now I am mildly obsessed. I will read anything she puts out. And watch anything she makes too!!
I guess the book is related to some kind of exhibition or art installation or something, but I don't know about that so my review is just based on the reading experience of this book.
The book is about Sophia's experience trying to make a rape revenge movie, but also a telling of that movie. The writing is fantastic, the storyline of the rape revenge portion of the book is great, and getting an insight into the process of trying to have a movie made was also great. It is media with emails, diary entries, portions of the plot told in script, and meta in so many ways and just incredible.
Do yourself a favor and pick it up.
I picked this up for the Invisible Cities project June 2022 (Qatar), and I am so so so pleased. Prior to doing a google search for authors from Qatar I had never heard of Sophia Al-Maria and now I am mildly obsessed. I will read anything she puts out. And watch anything she makes too!!
I guess the book is related to some kind of exhibition or art installation or something, but I don't know about that so my review is just based on the reading experience of this book.
The book is about Sophia's experience trying to make a rape revenge movie, but also a telling of that movie. The writing is fantastic, the storyline of the rape revenge portion of the book is great, and getting an insight into the process of trying to have a movie made was also great. It is media with emails, diary entries, portions of the plot told in script, and meta in so many ways and just incredible.
Do yourself a favor and pick it up.
July 5, 2020
Fascinating memoir and look at an art process shot straight through with the electrifying story for 'Beretta'. They really should've just let the chick make the film.
June 29, 2026
Wish I was conscious when the exhibition was held. This was my introduction to Sophia Al-Maria, someone who seems to be as sick of taboo culture as me. Great book if you’re yearning for Arab feminist angst and a sprinkle of unreachable satisfaction. Her writing style makes me want to text her.
Wondering how much is a beretta and how can I attain one in the UK? 🫦
Wondering how much is a beretta and how can I attain one in the UK? 🫦
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews