MENA Experimental: Recent Experimental Film and New Media April 12, 2012

MENA Experimental: Recent Experimental Film and New Media from the Middle East, North Africa, and Diasporas

The Arts at CIIS, in collaboration with ATA, presents MENA Experimental, an ongoing occasional series featuring experimental film and new media from the Middle East, North Africa, and their diasporas. This first evening includes recent short films and videos from emerging and established international artists, live music during intermission, and a reception.

Part 1. Intimate Distance

The program's first half explores forms of intimate relationships in both social and private spaces; in moments barely palpable, and at other times relating to state and colonial power. Each film navigates gender norms differently, with complexity and depth. Works by Danielle Arbid, Alexandra Handal, Filipe Rodrigues Afonso and Edward Salem.
(45 mins)

Intermission with a performance by Bay Area-based experimental musician Nadia Shihab.

Part 2. Witness, Amiss

The films in the second half explore the ethics of looking at images of suffering and war. The role of the artist in mediating, appropriating, and reframing images of violence emerges as a focus across the various works. These films navigate the ethics and complicities of viewership within new media technologies of representation and warfare. Works by Ali Dadgar, Peter Freund, Beate Hecher, Markus Keim, Jacopo Natoli, and Edward Salem. (43 mins)

The San Francisco Arab Film Festival is a community co-sponsor.

Official Website: http://www.ciis.edu/arts