‘I am Heba Zaqout’: Tribute to life, art lost in Gaza

The art world has a powerful new voice in the form of animation, telling the tragic yet inspiring story of Heba Zaqout, a Palestinian artist whose life and work were cut short during the recent conflict in Gaza.

The animated film, ‘I Am Heba Zaqout’, directed by Ziba Arzhang and produced by Iran’s Documentary Experimental Film Center (DEFC), seeks to immortalize the life and artistic legacy of Zaqout, whose story has resonated deeply with audiences worldwide.

Heba Zaqout, known for her acrylic paintings that captured the spirit of Palestinian life, was not just an artist but also a devoted mother and a public school teacher.

Her work was characterized by joyful depictions of her surroundings—colorful Palestinian houses, minarets, domes, and churches—each brushstroke a testament to Palestinian identity and existence.

In ‘I Am Heba Zaqout’, Arzhang brings Zaqout's story to life through the very medium she loved—art.

The seven-minute, two-dimensional animation is based on Zaqout's own paintings, which are given new life on screen.

As Arzhang explains in her recent interview with ISNA, “The story of Heba Zaqout's life is narrated through the paintings she created. It’s as if each painting comes to life, and by focusing on it, we become familiar with a part of her life.”

Arzhang, who has a history of using visual art to tell stories, was deeply moved by Zaqout's story when she first encountered it in the news.

“Last year, I saw news reports of the martyrdom of several Palestinian artists, including Heba Zaqout. Her paintings were full of life. The paintings about Gaza, with colorful and joyful buildings, fireworks in its night skies, white doves, women in traditional Palestinian clothing, and more, caught my attention,” Arzhang recalls.

This animation is not merely a biographical retelling; it is a tribute to Zaqout’s artistic vision and a statement against the destruction wrought by war.

Arzhang emphasizes that while the film is deeply personal and emotional, it avoids becoming overtly ideological or propagandistic. Instead, it remains true to Zaqout’s artistic style, allowing her work to speak for itself.

“Since this work is based on her paintings, the artistic aspect of the project is undoubtedly stronger than the other aspects. My personal view and feelings toward the horror of war and the killing of defenseless women and children will definitely be felt in this work,” says Arzhang.

Currently in the pre-production stage, ‘I Am Heba Zaqout’ is expected to take about a year to complete.

Once finished, it will not only serve as a reminder of Heba Zaqout’s life and work but also as a powerful commentary on the impact of war on culture and identity.

Tragically, Zaqout's life was cut short on Friday, October 13, 2023, when an Israeli airstrike hit her residential area, killing her and one of her sons.

The attack not only claimed her life but also destroyed her body of work, leaving a void in the artistic community.

The destruction of her paintings, which were filled with life and color, symbolizes a larger loss for Palestinian culture and history.