The Dream of Shahrazad selected for IDFA Masters programme
27/10/2014
The Dream of Shahrazad selected for IDFA Masters programme --
Mon, 27 Oct 2014 10:43
--
South African documentary filmmaker Francois Versters new film The Dream of Shahrazad has been selected for the Masters programme of the 2014 edition of the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA).
While the film was largely self-funded, further funding contributions came from the South African National Film & Video Foundation, the IDFA/Bertha Fund, the Sundance Documentary Fund, Spier Films, the CBA Worldview Fund, the Netherlands Film Fund and the European Union.
The festival describes this section as presenting the cream of the crop of new films by renowned documentary auteurs such as Frederick Wiseman, Victor Kossakovsky and Kim Longinotto. It is the first time that a South African filmmaker has been selected in the section.
The Dream of Shahrazad, described by early viewers as a documentary masterpiece looks at recent political events in Egypt and Turkey through the lens of the famous story collection known as The 100 Nights. At once observational documentary, concert film and political essay, it uses the metaphor of Shahrazad (the princess who saves lives by telling stories) to explore how creativity and political articulation coincide in response to oppression. A Turkish youth orchestra conductor uses Rimsky-Korsakov s Scheherazade suite as a tool for political education. A young Lebanese actress reconciles her past by becoming an internet activist in Egypt. An older visual artist finds his dream of Shahrazad in the appearance of a beautiful young storyteller. An Alexandrian storyteller meets with the mothers of martyrs of the Revolution and turns their testimonies into new storytelling performances.
Development on the film began in 2006, and filming took place over two years between 2010 and 2012 before, during and after the so-called Arab Spring.
This has been the film that has taken the most time and has been most difficult to complete the challenge was not only to film in three foreign countries where I did not at first speak any of the language, but also to construct a film around a specific piece of music, where documentary reality had to be fitted to a predetermined form, says Verster.
The film started with very little means, but we made amazing contacts as we went along and the film grew organically into its final form. We kept returning to Egypt over the year following the January 2011 revolution, and being able to explore all the immense changes happening through friends and subjects there was one of the most fascinating and enriching experience of my life.
The film ends with General Abdel Fattah el Sisi coming to power after August 2013.
For more information on the film, visit the official website.
Related Articles
SA doccy projects at IDFASouth Africa is taking 22 local documentary projects to the 25th International Documentary Film Festival (IDFA), 13 of which have been supported by the National Film and Video...
Read more...
Biggest SA doccy delegation everThe International Documentary Festival Amsterdam (IDFA), which takes place from 13 to 24 November, will see the largest delegation of South African documentary filmmakers (34) ever...
Read more...
Sunny Side up for Shahrazad On 29 June South African filmmaker Francois Verster s film, The Dream of Shahrazad, was awarded the Best Documentary in Progress award at the Sunny Side of the Doc market held in...
Read more...
Revolutionary SA films crowdfunding campaignSouth African documentary filmmaking team Francois Verster, Neil Brandt and Shameela Seedat have launched a crowdfunding campaign to help them complete their film about the Arab Spring , The Dream of Shahrazad.
Read more...
-- --
-- --
-- Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. comments powered by Disqus
LINK: | http://www.screenafrica.com/page/news/film/1647156-The-Dream-of-Shahra... |
See more stories from screenafrica |
Most recent headlines
04/08/2024
Dalet Appoints Santiago Solanas as CEO to Lead Next Era of Growth and Innovation
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, is excited to announce Santiago Solanas as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO)....
03/06/2024
Dalet and Veritone Reach Agreement to Distribute, Transact and Monetize Media Archives
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, a...
16/05/2024
Power Provokes Vital Questions About the Role of Police
PARK CITY, UTAH - JANUARY 18: Director Yance Ford introduces the Power premiere at Library Center Theatre. (Photo by Chad Salvador/Shutterstock for Sundance F...
16/05/2024
Mental Health Matters: Embrace Self-Care With These Audiobook and Podcast Listens
May is Mental Health Awareness month, a time to recognize those living with ment...
16/05/2024
ABC and SBS bring digital radio (DAB+) services to the Gold Coast
ABC and SBS bring digital radio (DAB ) services to the Gold Coast 15 May, 2024 Media releases ABC and SBS today announced that audiences on the Gold Coast ...
16/05/2024
Clear-Com Communication Solutions Enhance Oregon State University's PRAx Building
eds3_5_jq(document).ready(function($) { $(#eds_sliderM519).chameleonSlider_2_1({...
16/05/2024
6 New Clearmountain's Domain Presets
Share this article width=32 height=32 data-lazy-src=https://apogeedigital.com/app/themes/juniper-theme/src/img/icons/facebook-purple.svg /> width=32 height=...
16/05/2024
Updated: Netflix to Stream Live Christmas Day NFL Games
In a major example of how large streaming services are successfully battling for lucrative sports rights, Netflix has announced that it has secured global right...
16/05/2024
ESPN, Fox, WBD Unveil Name for New Sports Streaming Service
LOS ANGELES & NEW YORK More than three months after announcing plans to launch a major new sports streaming service, ESPN, Fox Corp. and Warner Bros. Discovery,...
16/05/2024
CTV/Streaming Top of Mind for Marketers in 2024
In a survey conducted late last year, marketing companies said their main focus for increasing advertising would be CTV/streaming. Generative AI, which was not ...
16/05/2024
CPB Issues More Grants for Next-Generation Warning
Three public radio and one public television outlet are the latest recipients of funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to upgrade their emergency...
16/05/2024
A year in live HDR production
John Mailhot, senior vice president, product management at Imagine Communications, gives an insight into how HDR is impacting live production today, as well as ...
16/05/2024
Sony Pictures Post Production Services Completes Expansion of its Sound Facilities
Sony Pictures Post Production Services Completes Expansion of its Sound Faciliti...
16/05/2024
Telestream Taps Power of AI to Manage, Define Media Workflows
TV Tech recently sat down with Telestream CEO Rhonda Bassett-Spiers and CTO Simon Clark to discuss how the M&E industry is adapting the cloud, IP and AI to enha...
16/05/2024
1185 Films launches one stop shop' for industry talent
1185 Talent will include directors, editors, colourists, VFX artists and photographers By Jenny Priestley Published: May 16, 2024 1185 Talent will include...
16/05/2024
Updated: Presteigne Broadcast Hire enters administration
The administrators said they are focused on trading the business as a going concern while they assess options, including exploring the possibility of a sale By...
16/05/2024
AWS CEO Adam Selipsky steps down
Selipsky will leave the company on 3rd June, and will be succeeded by Matt Garman, a senior vice president who has overseen sales and marketing at AWS By Jenny...
16/05/2024
Sony Pictures Post Production Services Completes Sound Facilities Expansion
Sony Pictures Post Production Services has announced that the final phase of a multi-year effort to expand and modernize its motion picture and television sound...
16/05/2024
CNN, ABC to Televise Two Presidential Debates
President Joe Biden and Former President Donald Trump have agreed to participate in two televised debates, the first of which will be hosted by CNN on June 17....
16/05/2024
Disney+ Debuts First Concert Film to Stream with IMAX Enhanced Sound
BURBANK, Calif. and NEW YORK Disney+, IMAX Corporation, and DTS, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Xperi, have announced that Queen Rock Montreal is now streaming ...
16/05/2024
WBD Unveils Advanced Advertising Features for Max
NEW YORK During its upfronts presentation, Warner Bros. Discovery announced a suite of new advanced ad products available on Max, that include shoppable ads, ad...
16/05/2024
iZotope announces RX 11 audio software, introducing new machine learning for tackling noise, and new tools for music streaming
iZotope announces RX 11 audio software, introducing new machine learning for tac...
16/05/2024
Check Out the Cine Gear Expo June 7 9, 2024 at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, CA
Check Out the Cine Gear Expo June 7 9, 2024 at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank...
16/05/2024
Nouvel Photo & Film Captures Cinematic Wedding Films with Blackmagic Cinema Camera 6K
Nouvel Photo & Film Captures Cinematic Wedding Films with Blackmagic Cinema Came...
16/05/2024
Replacing Surfaces Like a Pro with Mocha AE Planar Tracking
Replacing Surfaces Like a Pro with Mocha AE Planar Tracking Levi Borland May 15, 2024 0 Comments Welcome to our comprehensive tutorial on planar track...
16/05/2024
CBC's CPL Teams Salamanders, Yard Gnomes One Week Away From Season Opener
The world of baseball at Capitol Broadcasting is about to expand like fireworks on a Friday night. The Holly Springs Salamanders will open their season at home...
16/05/2024
Blockgraph Adopted by tvbeat, Enabling Audience-Based Planning
Blockgraph said that its identity and data collaboration platform has been adopted by tvbeat, a provider of campaign planning technology for media companies....
16/05/2024
SVG Sit-Down: Beam Dynamics CEO Kaszycki on Maximizing Physical-Asset Usage, Tracking
SVG Sit-Down: Beam Dynamics CEO Kaszycki on Maximizing Physical-Asset Usage, Tra...
16/05/2024
SVG New Sponsor Spotlight: Aggreko's Don Gray on Advocating for Sustainability in Live Sports Production
SVG New Sponsor Spotlight: Aggreko's Don Gray on Advocating for Sustainabili...
16/05/2024
At PGA Championship, CBS Sports Bolsters Aerial, Bunker Camera Lineup; Takes Viewers Deeper with Optimotion Swing Tech
At PGA Championship, CBS Sports Bolsters Aerial, Bunker Camera Lineup; Takes Vie...
16/05/2024
Rohde & Schwarz shows the future of terrestrial broadcasting at CABSAT 2024
Rohde & Schwarz shows the future of terrestrial broadcasting at CABSAT 2024 Real innovations in services and sustainability Meet us at CABSAT 2024 in Dubai...
16/05/2024
Hierarchy' Teaser Unveils Jooshin High School's Elite World, Starring Next Generation of K-Teen Stars
Back to All News Hierarchy' Teaser Unveils Jooshin High School's Elite...
16/05/2024
Steamy Doctor Climax' Trailer Teases the Questions That Stirred Up 70s Thailand
Back to All News Steamy Doctor Climax' Trailer Teases the Questions That S...
16/05/2024
Getting moving for Mental Health Awareness Week
Posted on 16 May 2024 We're huge advocates of positively improving our mental wellbeing so going green for Mental Health Awareness Week was an obvious ward...
16/05/2024
Venu Sports Introduced as Name for Forthcoming Sports Streaming Service
Venu Sports Introduced as Name for Forthcoming Sports Streaming Service Details of ESPN, Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery Joint Venture Take Shape with Brand an...
16/05/2024
Irma Stern's 1930 portrait Cape Girl with Fruit headlines SA art auction
Irma Stern's 1930 portrait Cape Girl with Fruit headlines SA art auctionAn Irma Stern painting from 1930 leads Strauss & Co's diverse catalogue of moder...
16/05/2024
Prison Journalism: The role my mother played in my life
Prison Journalism: The role my mother played in my lifeWesley Leong was incarcerated at the age of 15 in 1996 at Pollsmoor Prison. He is currently part of Resto...
16/05/2024
Actress Sibongokuhle Cele joins Muvhango'
Actress Sibongokuhle Cele joins Muvhango'Model and former Durban Gen' actress Sibongokuhle Cele has secured a role in SABC2's soapie Muvhango'...
16/05/2024
Tonight on Skeem Saam: Carol sees Ntswaki getting up to no good with Toby
Tonight on Skeem Saam: Carol sees Ntswaki getting up to no good with TobyDon't miss Thursday, 16 May's riveting episode of South African soapie Skeem Sa...
16/05/2024
Fight for Honor in Men of War II' on GFN Thursday
Whether looking for new adventures, epic storylines or games to play with a friend, GeForce NOW members are covered. Start off with the much-anticipated sequel...
16/05/2024
Skeem Saam: Wednesday's episode, 15 May 2024 [video]
Skeem Saam: Wednesday's episode, 15 May 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African so...
16/05/2024
Monet painting fetches R640 million at New York auction
Monet painting fetches R640 million at New York auctionA Monet has sold for nearly R640 million at auction, Sotheby's said, marking a solid start to New Yor...
16/05/2024
Cruinni na ng 2024 - a day of free creative activity for young people
RT is supporting Cruinni na n g with a nationwide campaign on television, radio, online and digital. For a full listing of all activities and information on h...
15/05/2024
UKTV Ventures partners with The Farewell Guide in 1million airtime-for-equity deal
12th March 2024 - Award-winning broadcaster UKTV has today announced it has inve...
15/05/2024
Give Me the Backstory: Get to Know Jianjie Lin, the Writer-Director Behind Brief History of a Family
By Bailey Pennick One of the most exciting things about the Sundance Film Festi...
15/05/2024
De viktigaste insikterna frn Spotifys rliga Loud & Clear-rapport
Med sin rliga royaltyrapport Loud & Clear kar Spotify transparensen i musikindustrin, s att artister, l tskrivare, fans och hela musikbranschen f r en st rre...
15/05/2024
Chegaram as ltimas estatsticas: Artistas brasileiros geraram mais receita e alcanaram mais fs no Spotify - basta perguntar Anitta
Nos ltimos 10 a 15 anos, a mudan a para o streaming de udio transformou comple...
15/05/2024
The Latest Stats Are In: Brazilian Artists Generated More Revenue and Reached More Fans on Spotify-Just Ask Anitta
Over the last 10-15 years, the move toward streaming audio has completely transf...
15/05/2024
Celebrating 80 years of success in Morganton
On May 15th, we celebrate the 80th anniversary of the SGL Carbon site in Morganton, North Carolina. The entire SGL Morganton family came together to celebrate t...
15/05/2024
SBS Audio marketing campaign tells the stories of new Australians, with multilingual content offerings to assist migrants
SBS Audio marketing campaign tells the stories of new Australians, with multilin...