From Beneath the Earth & The Only Trees
In October 2020, we spoiled you with two phenomenal films from the Levant region, exploring independent music from Palestine to Kurdistan: ‘From Beneath the Earth’ and ‘The Only Trees’, which were available to watch for free, for all, from anywhere, from October 05 – 19.
From Beneath the Earth من تحت الأرض:
The masterwork of British born Palestinian director Sami Alalul, ‘From Beneath the Earth’ provides a unique showcase and insider’s perspective to the work and artistic lives of independent Palestinian musicians.
Featuring Maysa Daw (DAM), Saaleek, Shadi Zaqtan, Apo & the Apostles, and Rasha Nahas, the film amplifies the voices that have risen from the Palestinian underground, defying stringent conditions and exploring the intersections that exist at the heart of music created by Palestinian artists within a heavily controlled space.
Sami Alalul relaunched ‘From Beneath the Earth’ in November 2020. Scroll down to stream the film for free via Breathing Stories on YouTube.
The Only Trees الأشجار الوحيدة Darên bi tenê:
A fascinating documentary exploring the “dengbej” musical heritage of the singers, poets and storytellers from Northern Syria’s Rojava region. Featuring a stunning scenery of poetic landscapes, the film is interlaced with stories of Kurdish and Assyrian songs that narrate the long history of love and suffering of this semi-autonomous region. With a polyethnic population of Kurds, Assyrians and Armenians, witness a new generation of storytellers from Komina Filma Rojava film collective, as they pay tribute to the men and women keeping the stories, dance, heritage and lives of Rojava’s people alive through their songs.
Partners
This screening was brought to you in collaboration with Al Balad Theater, Amman Jazz Festival, Arabesques, Khalil Sakakini Cultural Center, SOAS Music Department, Palestine Music Expo, OrangeRed and WAW al Balad.
