cinema
documentary and experimental
on digital and iphone
District Mayoress (2022)
is an eight-minute experimental documentary commissioned by SawtAsura, a collaborative project led by artist Tara Aldughaither, that collects, records, reenacts feminine musical histories in the Kingdom. From the starting point of an oral historical account and observational footage, the film offers a brief encounter with the life and legacy of South Jeddah-based wedding percussionist Khala Shoo'ya. In the film and in life, she served as true inspiration. Her resilience, surrender and sense of humor were all I wanted to talk about when asked about the film during a panel discussion in Berlin. I remember how a couple of months after we wrapped this up, she started facing health complications which she thankfully overcame. Yet I can’t help but wonder how her body ‘kept the score’ and the role her own voice played in relieving it. May her life echo as a teaching.
Were You There?
is part of an ongoing series of experimental work that started with the guidance of Iranian experimental filmmaker, Rouzbeh Rashidi.
best boy esko
is a clip from a short film in-progress where observational footage is employed reflexively. the longer version includes audial commentary by esko where he talks about life, film sets, and his own artistic aspirations.