TORONTO: Palestinian-Jordanian artist Dana Salah released her latest single “Dori Dorak” in April, offering a playful but pointed take on gender roles and cultural expectations.
“I’ve experienced double standards in so many subtle ways over the years,” Salah told Arab News, recalling a songwriting session where an idea she shared was overlooked only to be praised as “brilliant” minutes later when repeated by a male co-writer.
“Now, I don’t let anyone make me question my instincts in a room,” she added.
The single “Dori Dorak” — literally “My turn, your turn” — uses a colloquial, teasing phrase to critique imbalances in relationships and society.
Female roles and empowerment are a recurring theme in Salah’s work, including “Bent Bladak,” a tribute to Palestinian women, and “Ya Tal3een,” which draws on the traditional tarweedeh — coded songs historically used by women to communicate with imprisoned loved ones.
Salah said she does not try to “force it,” but is drawn to exploring different facets of the female experience — “not just showing one version of what it means to be an Arab woman.”
“‘Dori Dorak’ is very much part of that,” she added.
The campy music video, shot in Los Angeles, opens with Salah playing a traditional female role before reversing expectations — including a scene of men gathered around a table rolling grape leaves. Fun fact: The actors were taught how to roll grape leaves by director Claire Bishara’s mother, who also prepared the dish on set.
For Salah, working with Arab creatives is important “because there’s a shared understanding,” but she also emphasized the value of cross-cultural collaboration.
Although “Dori Dorak” was shot in Los Angeles, Salah said it still felt “very close to home,” pointing to Bishara’s Egyptian-Armenian background — and, of course, her mother’s presence on set.
Salah added: “It’s less about geography and more about intention.”
