short
films
In relation to Conversations in the Midst of the Syrian Conflict,
A Visual Response to the Syrian Conflict via the Domestic and Personal project;
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The research looked at the ethical issues of war images and explored an alternative creative response that focuses on the personal standpoint.
Followed by exploring relevant literature and creative artwork by Syrian and Middle Eastern artists.
These research steps have all prepared me to produce a series of short films, created in response to collected interviews and materials from participants living the Syrian war and to my personal experience living far from this radical event that changed my life and the lives of so many.
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Here are a number of examples;
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One day I received a video message over What’s App from my family. Soon after I realized that seeing their faces is no longer an option. Only stripes moving with their voices. Faces video made by Hala Georges.
I lost connection with home and family in Syria for a long time. Therefore, I decided to record my mother's voice the first time I had a chance to speak with her. The sound of violence around mom was louder than her voice and the call was interrupted and eventually disconnected. This video responds to the 52 seconds conversation over Skype. Made by Hala Georges.
The blood bath is filled gradually to the top, it flushes away only to be filled again. All that is left are some faces of people who suffered but hopefully will never be forgotten. This piece was created in the memory of all the Syrian victims of the Syrian war. Made by Hala Georges.
It is a visit to my world and the world of every refugee or emigrant who had to leave their home and everything behind in order to survive. It wonders about the future and embraces the past while having a painful present. Made by Hala Georges.
When I asked my niece Luna, 10 years old, to describe her daily life and how her recent birthday party was, she wrote me this letter in English over Skype. The video shows Luna in her living place trying to cope with her new life without going to school or seeing her friends, in which she describes her feelings and fears. I didn't change a word in her letter. Made by Hala Georges.
And slowly the notion of homeland changes from belonging to a country to belonging to faces of people we care for. Made by Hala Georges.
Responds to the conflicted state of mind of someone in exile; between nostalgia for a past life and excitement about the new one, worrying about war in the home country and the hope that it will come to an end. It presents the attempt to live a normal life whilst home is being shattered. The piece shows the dance as nothing but an expression of madness and denial, and at the same time the dancer is still haunted by her home's crisis, memories and culture. Made by Hala Georges.
This is a portrait of my nephew Novy and a personal interview about his life and what he has to say about his experience of the war. He sings during the video and we can’t hear his voice very clearly. Focusing on his singing voice is an attempt to wish that he is not really saying these words, instead, he is singing and enjoying his time. Made by Hala Georges.
Inspired by poetry, this video combines Syrian folk music, Syrian poetry by Nizar Qabbani, and shots from London in winter-time. The shots that were taken from my car’s window show four minutes from rainy London while talking about the city of Damascus and the relationship between a displaced one far from their torn home town. In this way, it combines two contrasting worlds in one frame, rejoices them and celebrates both. Made by Hala Georges.