Highlighting the retrospective works and diasporic life of artist, producer and actor Saleh Saqqaf.
On a vibrant evening at the Bankstown Arts Centre, In Search of My Shadow brought audiences into the captivating world of Saleh Saqqaf—an artist whose journey spans continents, languages, and artistic mediums. The event, consisting of a documentary screening and a Q&A session, was an inspiring reflection on creativity, migration, and the power of community storytelling.
The post-screening discussion featured a panel of esteemed speakers, including producer and actor Saqqaf, academic and researcher Jumana Bayeh, writer and creative producer Dr Paula Abood, and facilitator Alissar Chidiac, a community cultural worker and creative producer. Their insights offered depth to the documentary’s themes, shedding light on the intersections of personal history, artistic expression, and diasporic identity.
At its core, the documentary traces the life and career of Saqqaf, a Jordanian-Australian performer who found his voice on stage, television, and radio in Jordan during the 1970s and ’80s before migrating to Australia. He immersed himself in community theatre there, joining TAQA Theatre in 1991 and founding VETO Theatre in 1992. His most well-known theatrical
The Man Who Lost His Shadow, first staged in 1992, is a powerful motif throughout the documentary—symbolising a lifelong quest for identity, belonging, and artistic purpose.
The film skillfully weaves black comedy and tragedy, reflecting Saqqaf’s creative evolution and the broader socio-political realities that shaped his work. In Search of My Shadow transports viewers across time and space through a blend of archival footage from Jordan and Sydney. The grainy, nostalgic VHS visuals add an immersive and almost tactile quality, reinforcing the film’s theme of memory and endurance. This speaks to the remarkable production process of this film and the transportive nature and enduring quality of these insightful inclusions. Moreover, the technique not only documents Saqqaf’s past but also highlights the resilience of community-driven art in addressing social issues and
questions of identity.
A particularly striking element of the documentary is its depiction of bilingual performances by the community theatre, where Arabic and English merge seamlessly. This linguistic interplay mirrors the diaspora experience, showcasing how communities creatively bridge cultural gaps while preserving their heritage. The film thus threads together common themes of immigration across cultures, languages and creative mediums. The film emphasizes how theatre, beyond being an artistic endeavour, serves as a medium for collective expression and social commentary—capturing the urgency and professionalism of community-led storytelling.
While the film centres on Saqqaf’s journey, it ultimately resonates as a broader narrative of Arab diaspora identity, cultural preservation, and the transformative power of art. The screening was more than a viewing experience; it celebrated storytelling’s ability to connect generations, communities, and histories. Through laughter, reflection, and moments of profound emotion, In Search of My Shadow left audiences contemplating the enduring impact of creative expression in shaping personal and collective legacies.
This article has been commissioned for Diversity Arts Australia’s StoryCasters project, supported by Multicultural NSW, Creative Australia and Create NSW.
