Back at the base in Toronto, the intensive reflection upon our most recent immersion into Indonesian culture is underway, as we enter into the project's post-production phase. Simultaneously, the crew has been revisiting footage acquired from the 2009 International Indigenous Leadership Gathering. We find ourselves at a turning point, with the prospect of having three films completed in a total of a mere two years. With this in mind, a new and polished collection of copy-written photo albums has been completed to give our audience a more comprehensive and visually stimulating experience of our past and present endeavors, which we hope you will enjoy. Prints of these captivating images will be available to order via the web and at a forthcoming gallery exhibition in downtown Toronto that is yet to be announced. In addition, three new trailers and sound clips will be uploaded in the near future, finalizing the key elements that will provide the framework for a new webpage that is currently in development. The web page will provide a more interactive experience with the peoples, stories, and ways of life that we have encountered thus far. Brief teasers of the past three projects we have undertaken, alongside photos and traditional indigenous music will provide for an upcoming fundraising event that will provide the opportunity for people to engage with these communities, through our works. Accompanied by a live set of international cultural music and visual-art projections, the fundraiser is an opportunity for a great learning and sharing experience!
Turning your gaze onto the Eastern view, we have begun building a strong and promising Middle Eastern outreach and networking base. With the Bedouins of Wadi Rum as our projected next community of interest, meetings have been underway with representatives from the Royal Jordan Film Commission. The RFC is a relatively new organization and is pioneering film making in Jordan and endeavoring on grassroots initiatives to teach and promote Middle Eastern filmmakers to make films on the Middle East, for the Middle East. We find that their approach of representing their peoples and cultures from an inside out perspective is very consistent with our own and they too have shown an appreciation for our approach and interest in their tribal Bedouin communities. With their help, we can obtain permits to film and also gain a better concept of how to approach such groups with messages of comrodery and respect. Wadi Rum as a location has been very tempting as it would be a diverse landscape from the African Sahara, South East Asian Jungles, and the British Colombia Mountains and offer a unique view of the Middle Eastern Desert with all its brilliant shades and layers. In a valley surrounded by multifaceted rock cliffs, in a serene, quiet and empty landscape, we hope to amplify the voices of the indigenous Bedouin tribes and show the remaining symbols of their ancient culture and the imminent threat of its slipping into civilization and growing tourism.
A vague picture of the Bedouin life has entered into our imagination through research and dialogue with contacts close to them. They have a rich linguistic culture of oral storytelling and poetic night celebrations, accompanied by hypnotizing song and dance including the playing of distinct musical instruments such as the 3oud, Qanoon and Rababa to name a few. Many are sheppards and the elders are found with tattooed faces, while some have now resorted to making their ends meet off travelers, however this is also part of their culture. The Bedouins have an extensive sense of hospitability and have, throughout history, been nomadic and hence also uphold a high moral code when welcoming other travelers into their homes. It is tradition that once a wandering traveler happens upon a Bedouin tent, it is custom to host him for three days without even asking for his name. Through spending time in a desolate cliff cave, or a the open desert air, we hope to capture the myths of these people and to cultivate an understanding of their worldview, amplify their pride, and spread their stories around the world.
Having focused our eyes on the Middle East for our next expedition, we could not help but see, through our peripheral vision, the truth too often hidden in the region of the Occupied Palestinian Territories. With our strong base in Jordan, Rawan has reached down to her roots, to her country of origin, in hopes of establishing a stable network from whence to capture on film the struggles of the indigenous Palestinian people with no country or control. This subject is a more complex one to tackle as the area is under strict restrictions and can be of grave danger, so a meeting with Al-Jazeera was an enlightening experience. The head of Al-Jazeera in the West Bank was thrilled with the idea of a piece reflecting the Palestinian people’s struggles from the inside out onto the world in denial, and has catered for viewing of recent footage captured of the Wall and its effects on families and communities. He has also expressed interest in facilitating the obtaining of stock Palestinian footage and aiding us with contacts for permits to film inside Israel and the West Bank. A thorough scouting of locations, collection of personal stories, and the preliminary meetings with Al-Jazeera have incited an undeniable urge in us to venture into this no mans land and tell the story so rarely told. In addition, with Jordan and Palestine in the apple of our eyes, we foresee an overall Middle East archive of footage to be a great asset to Apo Calypso’s mission.
As our team prepares to reunite, we cannot forget where it all began: Kenya. This blessed place that gave birth to an idea and action that has led us thus far is in due of homage. Our goal is to be in the Middle East (Jordan/Palestinian Territories) for the month of July, and to go back to the land of the Massai in August to showcase to them the work we have produced of their worldview. With this act, screening Il-Ngwesi in the Kenyan bush to those it shed spotlight on, we hope to come full circle and give the final recognition and thanks to those who let us into their homes, hearts and minds.
