Screening & Round Table Discussion: “Al Qamar” by Yasmina

Screening & Round Table Discussion: “Al Qamar”  by Yasmina

Screening: Friday March 18 - Sunday March 20

Discussion: Sunday March 20, 3:00pm PDT with the cast and crew of “Al Qamar”

Description:

From rich Arab musical and movement tapestries to rural arts along the Nile to Sufi trance to the ancient Egyptian Goddess of the night sky, the joy filled and loving responsiveness of the moon (Al Qamar) is expressed through evocative imagery and music.

Synopsis:

“Al Qamar” means “The Moon”. In Arab poetry, prayer, songs and art, the moon has been evocative and pervasive since ancient times. It is particularly an important symbol in Sufism. The moon is a welcome soothing light that guides one at night through the desert after the scorching sun has set. The moon does not emit its own light, but like a mirror reflects light or reflects the image of the one looking in the mirror. The biggest compliment one can give a beloved is that their face is like the moon. The glory and inspiration of the moon touches each of the five choreographies presented in this film. The dance movements express an inner emotional ecstasy. Rich tapestries of Arab musical layers and embellishments express waves of joy and heartbreak. The experience of this film is meant to be a feast for the soul. These are five very different stories each with a distinctive musical and movement expression and a different approach to filming and editing. The responsiveness of the moon is expressed in the rich Arab music and movement tapestries to rural arts along the Nile to Sufi trance and to the ancient Egyptian Goddess of the night sky. Filmed in Canada and Egypt.

About the Filmmaker:

Yasmina Ramzy is the director of Arabesque Canada and Yasmina Ramzy Arts. She has created over 200 ensemble choreographies, including ten full-length productions, for twenty- five dance companies in the United States and Canada, since 1981. Yasmina has produced ten international dance festivals and conferences. She received her essential training from teachers in Egypt and Syria and has performed extensively in the Middle East, primarily with the master musicians of Syria. Some of her productions have toured in the United States, Greece, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria and across Canada. Yasmina has taught in 70 cities around the world and hosts a podcast called Deeper Dance. In recent years, Yasmina has directed two dance films; “Leilit Hob” and “Al Qamar” which have won awards and presented in several international film festivals.