UNDER AFRICAN SKIES: RAI
Organisation: Aga Khan University
Time: 13 April 2011 5:30pm - 8:00pm
Place: Aga Khan University, 210 Euston Road, London NW1
The Aga Khan University
Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations
Presents:
MARK KIDEL
UNDER AFRICAN SKIES: RAI
Made in 1990, when Rai was establishing itself as the new music of Algeria’s youth, Mark Kidel’s evocative and poetic film, made in collaboration with Bouziane Daoudi and Nidam Abdi, two Algerian journalists from the French daily Libération, explores the roots of a music that expresses the frustrated sexuality of the country’s young. Shot in Oran, a city characterised by the confluence of French, Spanish and Arab cultures, and well-known for its ‘cabarets’ where prostitution survived long after independence, the film chronicles the sounds of a time before fundamentalism shook Algerian society up in a series of bloodbaths – from which Rai singers were not immune. The film features Rai stars Cheb Khaled, Cheb Mami, Cheb Sarhaoui, Cheba Fadela and the songs of many others including Cheika Rimitti and Cheb Hasni.
Part of the AKU-ISMC Film and Documentary Series showcasing films from well-known and emerging filmmakers, that centre on people and ideas that are often relegated to the margins of societies around the world. The films have been selected on the basis of artistic merit and relevance to the theme. The film director will be available for a question and answer session following the viewing.
Wednesday 13 April 2011 | 17:30-20:00 (film starts at 18:00)
Aga Khan University
Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations
210 Euston Road
London
NW1 2DA
FREE ADMISSION
For more information contact AKU-ISMC on:
T: 020 7380 3865
E: ismc.shortcourses@aku.edu