Clapper by Ammar Al-Beik (Syria, 2003, 58 min, Mini DV) U.S. Premiere

Synopsis:

Deir Mar Moussa, Syria: Who are the inhabitants of this isolated monastery near the Iraqi border, and what has brought them here? Documentarian Ammar Al-Beik investigates, revealing a polyglot community that’s simple yet surprisingly social and connected to the world. Alongside the monks’ discussions of daily rituals, globalization and Islamic-Christian dialogue, Al-Beik makes explicit the dialogue between camera and subject, and the filmmaker’s own rituals and sacred objects. The result is a canny, often funny exploration of faith and devotion in the modern world. In Arabic, French and Italian with English subtitles.

with They were Here and Garden Dwelling

Post-screening panel discussion with filmmaker Tina Bastajian and Rasha Salti (Ashkal-Alwan, Beirut)

Festivals and Awards:

• 7th Biennale of Arab Cinema, Paris, 2004

Print Source Information:

Ammar Al-Beik
Email: ammha2@hotmail.com