Spotlight on Merna (2016)

Taking part in The Voice Kids is already quite something, but for 11-year-old Merna it’s really something special. Her parents had to flee Iraq because they are part of the Christian minority, and IS was threatening to kidnap Merna. They now live in Lebanon, where one in three people is a refugee. The family has been waiting for two years for permission to move on. FaceTiming with her older sister, who stayed behind in Iraq, and cooking her favorite dishes with her mother make the situation more bearable. But what also really helps is singing – this calms Merna and makes her less afraid. She used to sing only in church, but since The Voice her beautiful, melancholy voice touches everyone. Because of her status as a refugee, Merna isn’t allowed to attend the foreign performances with the other finalists, but she’s now a national celebrity in Lebanon.

Director: Mirjam Marks
Genre: Documentary
Runtime: 15 min
Release Date:
Cinematography: Johny Karam
Editing: Sander Cijsouw
Production: IKONdocs
Country: Netherlands
Original Language: en

Keywords

human interest, short film

More Films by Director: Mirjam Marks
More Films in Genre: Documentary

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Spotlight on Merna about?
Taking part in The Voice Kids is already quite something, but for 11-year-old Merna it’s really something special. Her parents had to flee Iraq because they are part of the Christian minority, and IS was threatening to kidnap Merna. They now live in Lebanon, where one in three people is a refugee. The family has been waiting for two years for permission to move on. FaceTiming with her older sister, who stayed behind in Iraq, and cooking her favorite dishes with her mother make the situation more bearable. But what also really helps is singing – this calms Merna and makes her less afraid. She used to sing only in church, but since The Voice her beautiful, melancholy voice touches everyone. Because of her status as a refugee, Merna isn’t allowed to attend the foreign performances with the other finalists, but she’s now a national celebrity in Lebanon.
Who directed Spotlight on Merna?
Spotlight on Merna was directed by Mirjam Marks.
How long is Spotlight on Merna?
Spotlight on Merna has a runtime of 15m (15 minutes).
What genre is Spotlight on Merna?
Spotlight on Merna is a Documentary film.
Where was Spotlight on Merna produced?
Spotlight on Merna was produced in Netherlands.