Hiam Abbass became famous in the international film scene through the film Satin Rouge (2002), by Raja Amari, a film about the self-discovery of a middle aged Tunisian widow with her own desires and sexuality. She also played a similar role in The Syrian Bride, about a caged Druze woman eager to break out all sorts of barriers, performing a perfectly delivered and subtle performance with an inner struggle, which confronted today's religious and social dogmas and restrains.