A love I keep returning to
Amin Matalqa’s tribute to his wife, Claire Naber Matalqa (1978–2015). A film I return to every year, and through which I came to love two people I never met.
About eight years ago, I watched one of Amin Matalqa’s films and went looking for more of his work. That’s how I found this. I’ve come back to it once or twice a year ever since.
I never met Amin or Claire, but through these few minutes, I came to love them both. I love how happy they seem in each other’s company. The travelling, the silliness, the little moments at home. There’s something about being allowed into those memories that makes two strangers feel familiar.
When I realized he had shared this after Claire had passed away, it broke my heart. I thought about him looking through all this footage, choosing these moments, seeing her so full of life again.
There are many reasons I return to this film, and I don’t think I can explain all of them. But I know that I love their love. Eight years later, it still reaches me.
May Claire rest in peace.
Clairebear
By Amin Matalqa. View original
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