The Silence They Taught Us

syno

psis

An autobiographical documentary short following Paula, a Palestinian-Canadian professional in Toronto, as she confronts the cost of silence in the face of anti-Palestinian racism. Raised by a father born after the Nakba, exiled to Lebanon and Egypt before coming to Canada, Paula inherited a legacy shaped by displacement, resilience, and caution. She grew up believing that safety lay in education, professionalism, and keeping her Palestinianness private, a strategy born of survival, but one that has distanced Palestinians in the diaspora from each other and from their struggle. Fear silences Palestinians, raised in the West, especially at work, making them hide their identities. The film urges reclaiming voice and visibility to strengthen and unite the community in the struggle for liberation.

Director's

bio

Paula Sahyoun is a social innovator and filmmaker from Toronto, Canada. As a daughter of Palestine and Hong Kong, Paula has always been motivated by a sense of justice. She has devoted her creative and professional life to social change and civic engagement. She is passionate about using art, economic and social financial tools to empower marginalised communities. She is also co-director of the documentary The Young Won’t Forget, a cinematic project that explores the experiences of second-generation Palestinians in the North American diaspora.