WOMEX - The World Music Expo from 24-28 October 2018

Taking place in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria this year, WOMEX is the most international music meeting in the world and the biggest conference of the global music scene, featuring a trade fair, talks, films and a showcase festival. WOMEX Film presents documentaries that portray music, movements and histories from across the world.

Over three days WOMEX 18 will present 16 films in total, featuring 1 tribute screening and 15 new releases, subdivided into Market & Public Screenings and a Film Library, which presents an extended selection of films available on demand.

“This year again directors, producers and musicians from around the world will be joining us to share their latest projects. We are thrilled to see WOMEX grow as a hub where the global music and film scene can engage, reflect and strengthen ties between each other.” mentions Luca Jacob Borkowsky, Head of WOMEX Film.

The Film Programme opens with The Cambodian Space Project: Not Easy Rock’n’Roll, a tribute screening to the mesmerizing Kak Channthy, whose remarkable journey was cut short in a road accident in March 2018. As part of the public screenings, WOMEX presents the Spanish premieres of Gurrumul, Hibridos - The Spirits of Brazil and The Invisible Hands, which features maverick American/ Lebanese musician Alan Bishop. Namrud showcases the life of another progressive musician Jowan Safadi, who continues to push the status quo as a Palestinian living in Israel. The journey continues into ancient myths and complex vocal sounds inspired by traditions that revolve around the same sea in Iran and Bahrain, with the films Archipelago and Nocturne for Pit Orchestra. While Ťažká duša gives us a poetic glimpse into Roma music.

The WOMEX 18 Film Library presents an extended selection of films, accessible on demand to delegates at any time during the expo. The focus of the library is to highlight new musical projects and collaborations, such as the unreleased film We Intend to Cause Havoc, as well as Ahi Na’Ma, In Situ and Musica Pelos Poros. The selection also features insightful and reflective research-based music films, such as Burkinabè Rising, Cantadoras and Dance Me This. In addition, Jazz brings to the foreground the life of DJ Holiday, a forgotten soul in Detroit, whose story deserves to be brought to light.

Find out more about the WOMEX Film Programme and register until 19 October for a Sprint Rate!

SELECTED HIGHLIGHTS FROM WOMEX FILM

Archipalego

WOMEX – The World Music Expo

A mystical journey through ancient myths, exorcism rituals, sounds and spirits Archipelago weaves together stories and landscapes of a group of southern Iranian islands located in the Persian Gulf.

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Jazz

WOMEX – The World Music Expo

In one of the many abandoned houses lives an old woman, Jazz. She sings old pieces of Billie, sad love stories, fallen destinies and heartbreaking passions. On her porch, she watches the passing of time, far from the chaos shaking her country...

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Musica Pelos Poros (Music through my skin)

WOMEX – The World Music Expo

Music nowadays almost always comes to us as a product, something prepared and complete. The documentary shares the musical process of eleven musicians from across the world that come together at a residency at the Festival Artes Serrinha to improvise and surprise each other.

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The Invisible Hands

WOMEX – The World Music Expo

Maverick underground American/ Lebanese musician and ethnomusicologist Alan Bishop, lands as a stranger in Cairo, soon after the 2011 uprisings and teams up with three young Egyptian musicians for the translation of his old songs into Arabic.

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