Two weeks ago I had the privilege of meeting Hakim Belabbes, a Moroccan filmmaker who currently divides his time between Chicago and Morocco.  As I watched his documentaries, it became immediately apparent that his primary interest in filmmaking was showcasing the people whom he filmed.  By virtue of their humanity and their hopes and fears, they were natural stars for Belabbes.  More than once he emphasized his belief that what many perceive as ordinary is actually extraordinary. Through his films he is helping to broaden and liberalize the content of films that can be produced in Morocco. Yet he manages to epitomize the goal of socially conscious media by capturing private moments that evoke common feelings of both love and loss. I was moved to tears at a scene in which he visits his mother.  The bond between mother and child, so universal and profound, was captured in a direct, yet understated way.  Her desires for him to be happy, her concern for his welfare, her jokes and her evident pride surely echoes the sentiments of mothers around the world. Through his direct and real style of film, Belabbes is seeking to bridge the cultural gaps that exist in the world by capturing the inherent similarities of individuals and our common dreams, fears, and frustrations.  One of his most recognized works, “These Hands” tells the story of how one is inextricably bound to one’s work and the result of that labor runs the gamut of the human condition. Nevertheless, it is the inherent and universal human condition that is preserved and witnessed that offers a common point of understanding.