Sahara Nights review

The Roundhouse Studio-Theatre was filled to the brim last week for Sahara Nights on June 6. The multi-arts launch for the Studio-Live music empowerment project brought the house down with an array of film, photography, short story presentations and wonderful music to provide rich glimpses of the Saharawi world, culture and plight. 

Nigerian playwright and poet Inua Ellams,
Saharawi short stories readings, with Celtic violinist Lizzie Ogle and
Guinean kora player Mosi Conde © See Li

The launch was interlaced with fantastic first-class performances from a wide range of international artists...

Guinean kora player Mosi Conde
with photography by Ed Harriman © Tania Jackson

British-Congolese Binisa Bonner
from Ruby and the Vines © See Li

Venezuelan Luzmira Zerpa
from Family Atlantica © See Li

Hispano-Saharawi
singer and guitarist
Suilma Aali and percussionist
Nico Roca © Bela Molnar

The evening culminated with a stellar performance from Aziza Brahim. Born in the refugee camps, educated in Cuba and now based in Spain, Aziza is considered the new musical voice of the Saharawis, dedicating all her songs to the struggle. Her music is inspired by her poetess grandmother Mabruk, the only Saharawi female poet who has dedicated all her poetry to documenting the 16 years of war and to whom Aziza has dedicated her new album (released June 11).

Aziza with Spanish guitarist
Gonzalo Ordás © Bela Molnar

Aziza and Gonazalo © See Li

Aziza Brahim © Julia Ridlington

Sahara Nights was capped with the mother of all jam sessions. Virtually all the musicians of the evening joined along with a few new guests from Algeria to rocket the night into another music stratosphere that got the room dancing with abandon.

Final jam session © Julia Ridlington

What people have said:

It was a rich and diverse gathering with original and soulful music and poetry (hearing Aziza live and discovering her grandmother was incredibly emotional). Your passion and dedication for the Saharawi cause and its people was truly palpable. Meriem Aissaoui

Aziza and the Sahara Nights crowd © See Li

A fantastic evening and very informative in a sensitive way. Thomas Elliot

What an amazing evening. Congratulations on such a success, and thanks so much for letting me show part of our film. You know how important your support was to us when we started filming so I'm forever indebted to you. Saeed Taji Farouky

Film

These are the two filmmakers, and short a teaser from their films on Western Sahara, featuring in Sahara Nights.

Saeed Taji Farouky is a documentary photographer, filmmaker and writer who specialises in documenting issues of human rights and social justice in the Middle East and North Africa. His work has been published by The Observer, The Telegraph, The Independent, Reuters, BBC Online and The Economist Group amongst others. He is currently a TED Senior Fellow, was previously named Artist-in-Residence at the Tate Britain and The British Museum, and is Director of the award-winning documentary production company Tourist With A Typewriter.

The Runner is a film about endurance. It is the story of a champion long-distance runner whose journey transformed him from an athlete into the symbol of a national liberation movement. Salah Ameidan from Western Sahara is willing to risk his life, his career, his family and his nationality to run for a country that doesn't exist.

Noë Mendelle is particularly interested in aspects of narrative and new directions within the documentary format. Particular research themes include women, migration and stories of transgression. Since the 1980s she has produced and directed over 30 films, mainly for British and French television, widely distributed at international festivals and which have won awards. She also develops documentary networks across countries and continents: "Bridging the Gap" (Scotland); "Constructing Reality" (Europe); "Africadoc" (Portuguese and French speaking African countries). 

Lkhadra Mabruk is a short documentary on camp-based poetess Lkhadra Mabruk, Aziza Brahim’s grandmother. Mabruk was the only Saharawi female poet who documented the 16  years of Saharawi war through her poetry.

http://seyretmelik.com/ljadra-mint-mabruk-fi-la-grara-en-la-grara/35821288

More info:

Saeed Taji Farouky: www.taji.co.uk

Noë Mendelle: www.scottishdocinstitute.com/tag/noe-mendelle

Invitation

Our much anticipated Run the Sahara 2012 launch event is happening this Saturday:-

ONLY 5 DAYS LEFT!
 
Sandblast invites you to a multi-media event
celebrating the launch of
 
Run the Sahara 2012

in support of music empowerment initiative Studio-Live

Saturday October 1^st
3pm –5.50pm
Riverside Studios
Hammersmith, London W6 9RL

RSVP by: Sept 29, 2011 to team@sandblast-arts.org

Featuring: a screening of the award-winning documentary 'El Problema,' readings by acclaimed playwright and poet Inua Ellams; a sneak preview of The Runner, the upcoming documentary about world-class Saharawi athlete Salah Ameidan; former Run the Sahara participants share their personal experiences and of course there will be the opportunity to sign up on the day to register for Run the Sahara 2012!

The entire event will take place in the Cinema venue with a short break for refreshments. We will carry on with the registration for Run the Sahara in the bar downstairs until 6.30pm.

Spread the word! We look forward to seeing you,
Sandblast Team

VIDEO: Salah Amaidan invites you to "Running the Sahara 2010"

VIDEO: Spottet in the Western Sahara blogosphere

The Belgian Western Sahara support group Westelijkesahara.be just posted this great teaser for the documentary "Western Sahara. Africa's last colony".

Event: "The Wall of Shame"

"The Wall of Shame": the story of a forgotten refugee nation

Top athlete Salah Amaidane visits the UK this month. On the occasion of his visit, Sandblast hosts an evening in Brighton to give everyone the opportunity to meet Salah and learn about his experiences as a political refugee living apart from his family and his people in order to raise awareness for his people's plight.

The short films "Children of the Clouds" and "Deserted" will be showcased as documentaries that capture the Saharawi experience both in the refugee camps and in the occpuied territories, on both sides of the Wall.

Guest speakers: Saharawi political refugee and global medalist runner Salah Amaidane and charity director Danielle Smith.

Date: October 8th
Time: 7.30pm - 10pm

Location: Latest MusicBar, 14-17 Manchester Street, Brighton
Price: Free (£3 suggested donation)

Are you on Facebook? Join the event.