3. Norient Musikfilm Festival 2012

Norient, the Network for Local and Global Sounds and Media Culture, organized the 3rd Norient Music Film Festival in Bern, Switzerland, from 10th to 13th January 2012. See the program and find pictures and podcast here.

Under this year’s festival motto «Parody, Dancing and Sex: other forms of protest» Norient shows documentaries about dancehall in Jamaica, hip-hop in Morocco and Lebanon, generation gaps in the mountains of Albania, gripping cultural exchange between DJs and Roma musicians, as well as about a politically charged, emotional dance night in Northern Ireland. Highlights of the festival are the shocking behind-the-scene insight report of Cairo’s belly-dance industry, the rap musical «Coz Ov Moni» from Ghana and the live performance of its main protagonists Wanlov The Kubolor, M3nsa and DJ Edu (BBC 1Xtra). There are two club nights, Friday and Saturday, with DJ Edu (BBC 1Xtra) from Kenya and Gazelle from South Africa. All movies on show are Swiss premieres. Several directors will be attending the festival. – Read an article about the festival in The Wire. This year’s festival poster was designed by Lebanese artist and musician Mazen Kerbaj. Norient Music Film Festival is taking place in Bern at Kino Reitschule, Turnhalle PROGR and Club Bonsoir .

Programm 2012: Overview

Thursday, 12.1.2012
I ? Hip Hop in Morocco (Morocco/USA)
At Night, They Dance (Egypt/Canada)

Friday, 13.1.2012
Polyphonia – Albaniens vergessene Stimmen (Romania/Germany)
The Shukar Collective Project (Romania)
Life From the BBC (Lebanon/USA)
Visit Me Once a Year (Germany/France)
Gazelle (South Africa)

Saturday, 14.1.2012
Paradiso (Northern Ireland/Italy)
Hit Me With Music (Jamaica/Spain)
Secousse Soundsystem (South Africa, France), DJ Edu (Kenia/UK)

Sunday, 15.1.2012
Coz Of Moni (Ghana)
FOKN Bois (Ghana/Kenia/UK)

Booking

For Sunday book via bee-flat (or via Petzitickets). For Thursday to Saturday place your reservation via E-Mail. Tickets for the Club Nights at Club Bonsoir (Friday and Sunday) are available via Starticket.

Programm 2012

Thursday, 12.1.2012, 20:00 - Kino Reitschule, Bern

«I ? Hip Hop in Morocco»

Documentary by Jennifer Needleman and Joshua Asen, Morocco/USA, 2007, 75 min. Swiss Premiere!

Moroccan rappers plan to organise the first North African hip-hop-festival. A difficult task: conservative families and authorities have to be persuaded, papers filled in and sponsors have to be found. This film documents the rebellious spirit of the Arabian youth in the 21st century from a close, observing position. The rappers question old-established traditions and hierarchies. Their beats and lyrics purvey the soundtrack while Morocco offers the backdrop. The western world was surprised by the «Jasmine-Revolution» in Tunisia as well as the riots in Egypt, Libya, Yemen, Bahrain and Syria.
This film offers a deep insight into the youth cultures of Northern Africa and proposes explanations for revolutions, turmoil and civil wars.

«It is a story about freedom, freedom of speech, the role of Islam in the daily lives of Moroccan youth, politics and oppression by Mohamed VI, poverty, and the sake of arts, in this case hip-hop culture.» (Miriam Gazzah, cultural anthropologist, Apeldoorn)

Read background article by Miriam Gazzah, and find more information about the film: Here

Please place your reservation for Kino Reitschule via E-Mail. Price for one evening (two films) CHF 20.

Thursday, 12.1.2012, 22:00 - Kino Reitschule, Bern

«At Night, They Dance»

Documentary by Isabelle Lavigne and Stéphane Thibault, Egypt/Canada, 2010, 80 min. Swiss Premiere!

Arabian nights in the harsh reality of Cairo. With oppressive images, the film «At Night, They Dance» portraits the every day reality of dancers in the Egyptian capital. The camera looks behind the scenes of the Egyptian belly-dance industry, with nearly ferocious closeness and shows a shocking genre picture. The multiple awarded movie portraits a family dynasty of belly dancers. The matriarch keeps things firmly under control while her daughters dance night after night at the weddings of the metropolis – for men only. It’s a hard fight for survival.

More information about the film: Here.

Please place your reservation for Kino Reitschule via E-Mail. Price for one evening (two films) CHF 20.

Friday, 13.1.2012, 20:00 - Kino Reitschule, Bern

«Polyphonia – Albaniens vergessene Stimmen»

Documentary by Björn Reinhardt and Eckehard Pistrick, Albania/Germany, 2011, 97 min. Director Björn Reinhardt will be present. Swiss Premiere!

Old men and women meet in the mountains of Albania in order to intone their polyphone chants.
Their harmonious chanting is part of the UNESCO world cultural heritage. The village youth, however, do not seem to care much about this fact. They prefer the latest disco-sounds from the city and want to leave the mountains – rather today than tomorrow. Conflicts between the generations are stipulated.
In the region of Shpati, Muslims and Christians have lived amongst each other in peace for generations.
Though the rural idyll is deceitful, as globalised desires and life ideals have long stretched out to these regions. The movie takes its time and introduces us to unknown mountain regions and mountainous culture of central Albania. A differentiated portrait.

«The aged have changed their lives / and the youth stays far / Oh pain! Oh hurt! / Grieve thou poor, sorrow is arriving» (Arif, shepherd and vocalist, Albania)

More information about the film: Here.
See Trailer Here.

Please place your reservation for Kino Reitschule via E-Mail. Price for one evening (two films) CHF 20.

Friday, 13.1.2012, 22:00 - Kino Reitschule, Bern

«The Shukar Collective Project»

Documentary by Matei-Alexandru Mocanu, Romania, 2010, 75 min. Swiss Premiere!

Romanian DJs meet Romanian Roma musicians and found the Shukar Collective. The group mixes traditional Roma music with electronic club sounds and conquers pretty fast the festival stages of Europe. Though it’s not all that shiny. Throughout the movie, the ambitious cultural exchange turns into an intense scuffle. Deception, insults, strong cursing, a few musical highlights and plenty of black humour. A clash of worlds, artfully put into scene, captured in magnificent imagery.

«The „White Chiefs“ criticise the „Gypsies“ they would only amuse themselves at their cost. The „Gypsies“ on the other hand, are convinced that the „White Chiefs“ are taking advantage in order to profit at their cost. The „Shukar Collective Project“ turns into ‚us’ against ‚them’.» (Wilma Rall, author of a book about Roma in Switzerland).

More information about the film: Here.

Please place your reservation for Kino Reitschule via E-Mail. Price for one evening (two films) CHF 20.

Friday, 13.1.2012, 23:45 - Kino Reitschule, Bern

«Life From the BBC»

Documentary by Jackson Allers, Lebanon/USA, 2010, 15 min. Director will be present. Swiss Premiere!

In this case, BBC does not stand for «British Broadcasting Corporation», but for «Bourj al Barajneh Refugee Camp», a Palestine refugee camp in Lebanon. The rappers Yaseen and TNT of the hip-hop crew I-Vocie (Invincible-Voice) are looking for electricity. Only with electrical power they are able to record their songs, however, electricity is cannot be taken for granted in their everyday lives. Are they going to find a generator for their studio?

«There are about 73 professions that Palestinians are not allowed to learn or accomplish. They are not allowed to be doctors, lawyers, engineers or accountants.To rap however is allowed.» (Anna Trechsel, journalist, Bern)

More information about the film: Here.

Friday, 13.1.2012, 00:00 - Kino Reitschule, Bern

«Visit Me Once a Year» («Zourouni koulli sana marra»)

Documentary by Siska, France/Germany, 2010, 21 min. Swiss Premiere!

The Lebanese rap crew «Kitaa Bey-Route» (sector Beirut) was invited for a tour through France in 2002. Some band members went underground and have since lived illegally in France. The Lebanese video artist and rapper Siska has met his former band colleagues in 2010 in France. He shows some extracts of their life in exile.

«I met my guys from my former rap group again France. It was tragic» (Siska, 2011)

More information about the film: Here.

Friday, 13.1.2012, 23:00 - Club Bonsoir, Bern

Gazelle (South Africa)

Xander Ferreira, a white man known under the pseudonym «Gazelle», is notorious for his orchestrations as black man. He plays with many clichés and chasms of Africa and «Black Culture».
With his performances, Gazelle has made a name for himself, also in this country – for example at «Art Basel» he dispensed money – ironically disguised as white option of an African dictator. However, at the Norient Clubnight at Club Bonsoir, Gazelle will turn into a disco entertainer.

«Sorry Papa, got to leave the farm. I need disco-air» (Gazelle)

More Information: Here.

Tickets for the Club Nights at Club Bonsoir (Friday and Sunday) are available via Starticket.

Saturday, 14.1.2012, 20:00 - Kino Reitschule, Bern

«Paradiso»

Documentary by Alessandro Negrini, Northern Ireland/Italy, 2009, 60 min. Director will be present. Swiss Premiere!

In the protestant Fountain-Quarter of northern Irish Derry, the musician Roy Arbuckle intents to hold a dance night. Arguing Protestants and Catholics shall dance together again. Arbuckle gathers the old members of his show band “The Signetts” and rehearses with his retired friends the songs from the past. The big gig shall take place at the local dance hall «Mem» – the “Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall“. The aged sisters May Hamilton and Kathleen McKane already have itchy feet. They can’t wait for the big night. Is this politically charged, emotional dance night going to take place as planned? There are yet a few obstacles that need overcoming.

«Everything about this charming story works against the grain. Fervent tango music for the windy Northwest of Europe? Protestants as victims? Protestants dancing and singing? Ought they not to be prudish, stern and fogyish? By no means.» (Martin Alioth, Ireland correspondent of NZZ)

More information about the film: Here.

Please place your reservation for Kino Reitschule via E-Mail. Price for one evening (two films) CHF 20.

Saturday, 14.1.2012, 21:30 - Kino Reitschule, Bern

«Hit Me With Music»

Documentary by Miquel Galofré, Jamaica/Spain, 2011, 74 min. Producer Zenesha Riley will be present. Swiss Premiere!

«One good thing about music; when it hits you, you feel no pain». This is how this fantastically filmed, eclectic movie starts. It offers deep insights into the world of dancehall in Jamaica. This long-term production is a portrait of star musicians and dancers such as Yellowman, Mavado, Kartel, Bogle, Elephantman, Chi Chic Hing and many more. Jamaica has much more to offer than Bob Marley, poverty and gang wars. The only ones not recognising this fact are the tourists, confined to their beach hotel, enjoying sun and sea.

More information about the film: Here.

Please place your reservation for Kino Reitschule via E-Mail. Price for one evening (two films) CHF 20.

Saturday 14.1.2012, 23:00 - Club Bonsoir, Bern

Secousse Soundsystem (South Africa, France), DJ Edu (UK/Kenia)

DJ Edu’s gift to the world is his weekly radio show «Destination Africa» on BBC Radio 1Xtra. It is his first Bern appearance as DJ at Club Bonsoir: Coupé Décalé, Kuduro, HipLife plus many new and old sounds from Africa. Not to be missed!

More Information: Here.

Tickets for the Club Nights at Club Bonsoir (Friday and Sunday) are available via Starticket.

Sunday.15.1.2012, 20:30 - bee-flat, Turnhalle PROGR, Bern

«Coz Ov Moni»

Pidgin-Hip-Hop-Comedy-Musical by King and the FOKN Bois, Ghana, 2010, 30 min.

The closing night is opened by the film «Coz Ov Moni», the first pidgin-musical within the African history of film. Though the label is misleading: we are not necessarily served a musical, rather a visually powerful music video. Wild handheld tracking shots through side alleys, backyards, internet-cafés and street kitchens, including beach and club life, away from gloss and touch-up. «It was our idea to create a concept album, where we show what happens to two guys throughout one day in Accra», tells Wanlov The Kubolor. A fabulous experiment.

«Ghanese people in the country as well as exiled fellows alike were thrilled to watch the adventure of the two protagonists, vaporized to the shortest possible time; and all of them agreed: their country had never been shown as authentically on screen.» (Stefan Franzen, music journalist, Freiburg)

Please book tickets via bee-flat (or via Petzitickets).

Sunday.15.1.2012, 21:15 - bee-flat, Turnhalle PROGR, Bern

FOKN Bois (Wanlov the Kubulor & M3nsa) feat. DJ Mo Laudi

Wanlov The Kubolor (voc, per)
MC M3nsa (voc)
DJ Mo Laudi (DJ)

Wanlov The Kubolor walks barefoot through the streets of Accra with big dreadlocks and dressed in a skirt. He affronts the public in TV shows and shocks with playful bawdy vocabulary. He is the enfant terrible of Ghana’s hiplife, the sometimes sweet-commercial and other times progressive mixture of highlife and rap. In-between racy pidgin rap and ethnic gypsy sounds, he created his own musical universe. Together with his group “Fokn Bois”, it is his first Swiss appearance. Further there are Ghanese rapper MC M3nsa, the son of Tumi Ebo Ansah – guitar legend and afro rocker of Osibisa, as well as DJ Edu who is world-known due to his radio show «Destination Africa» on BBC 1Xtra.

«Kubolor, the vagabond, is for me a great discoverer, full of youthful energy, such as Peter Pan.»(Wanlov The Kubolor)

Please book tickets via bee-flat (or via Petzitickets).

Pictures

Download: press photos (.zip 62 MB)

Press

> The Wire
> Badische Zeitung
> Berner Zeitung
> Der Bund (über die FOKN Bois)
> Der Bund (über «At Night, They Dance»
> Der Bund (Interview mit Thomas Burkhalter)
> DRS2 aktuell
> Kulturagenda
> Ensuite
> 20 Minuten
> kinki magazin
> globalsounds
> Blog Elisabeth Stoudmann (Vibrations)
> FOKN Bois on Republik Kalakuta, Couleur 3

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>”End2End“: Rap-Sendung auf Radio RaBe

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About Norient

The internationally active association Norient – network for local and global sounds and media culture – has been working since 2002 interdisciplinary on the interfaces of music and society, journalism and science. Norient is an extensive networking- and intermediation-platform that is recognised nationally as well as internationally: core pieces are the on-line magazine «NORIENT.com», NORIENT events and the Norient artist collective. The association Norient is domiciled at PROGR in Bern, Switzerland.

Information about Festival editions 2010 and 2011.