Team

Aisha Azzam
Lead, Oral History, Story Consultant

Aisha Azzam and her husband started their family grain mill in Baqa’a refugee camp, Jordan, 35 years ago. She treasures her role in safeguarding culture by milling the wheat, other grains, and herbs essential to Palestinian cuisine. Through food, Aisha traces the story of Palestinian displacement and rebuilding family and community in a refugee camp. Harvesting, milling, cooking, and sharing knowledge with the younger generations ground the film’s arc of displacement, longing, and resistance. In Aisha’s words, “Food is what keeps us together as Palestinians.”

Elizabeth Vibert
Writer, Director, Producer

Elizabeth Vibert has been working on a collaborative oral history project with Palestinian miller Aisha Azzam and community members in Baqa’a refugee camp, Jordan, since 2018. Aisha’s Story is the product of this relationship. Elizabeth’s filmmaking, writing, and research examine grassroots initiatives toward socially just and sustainable food systems in vulnerable communities, and in the era of climate crisis. She co-wrote and produced the award-winning documentary film The Thinking Garden (2017, dir. Christine Welsh).

Chen Wang
Co-director, Director of Photography

Director of photography and co-director Chen Wang is an international award-winning cinematographer and photographer. As cinematographer and in other roles, Chen has worked on over 60 documentary, short, and feature films, music videos and commercials. Chen is a past director of production at Cinevic Society of Independent Filmmakers. He grew up in mainland China and now lives in Victoria, Canada.

Salam Barakat Guenette
Co-producer, Interpreter

Salam Barakat Guenette grew up in a Palestinian family in exile in Amman. She completed a Master’s degree in history in Canada, and works for the British Columbia government.