Bushra Azzouz

I was sad to learn of Bushra's recent passing.

Bushra and I were hardly classmates during our overlapping years together at SFSU Cinema Dept, but neither were we mere acquaintances. She was a focused graduate documentary student nearing matriculation, while I was a shambolic undergrad film student, just trying to forge his own way. As luck would have it, our academic lives crossed, albeit briefly, if not somewhat haphazardly. I can recall many animated, passionate and long...

The Anonymous posting from July 15 2019 was from me- I didn't mean to post it anonymously. I missed Bushra's Portland memorial, but was thinking of her this morning and came back to this page and saw, alas, that I had no name on my heartfelt comments about this wonderful woman.

Sterling and I will miss our delightful chance meetings with Bushra in the callejones and plazas of Guanajuato, her smile, her insight, her kindness.

So sorry to hear about Bushra! In the 80s she needed a room of her own, although she was living with her then-partner, and for five years we shared rent on a small apartment in NW Portland. She was warm, vivacious, and talented. She hardly ever used the apartment, but having it to go to gave me a chance to seriously buckle down to my own writing, away from the tiny cabin in the woods where I lived with my husband and family. I was shocked to hear about her passing. So young and so gifted....

Thinking of you.

With gratitude I will always remember Bushra as a generous and wise human being who jump-started the efforts of so many aspiring filmmakers. Her presence will remain in the time that she gave to us and the ways in which she educated and inspired us.

My heart goes out to all of Bushra's family, friends, former students and colleagues.

Bushra inspired me to make films that encourage more compassion and understanding in the world. I will always be grateful to her for that. I wish I'd had a chance to tell her that and say goodbye.