Behsno
as ney. Listen to the reed.
It weaves
A tale of separations. It grieves:
They
tore me from the marshland. That's why
My breathy song makes women and men cry.
A
Sufi Valentine
a
poetry+film performance
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Behsno
as ney. Listen to the reed.
It weaves They
tore me from the marshland. That's why |
readings of Rumi, Hafiz and original work by Ali Alizadeh
images by Bill Mousoulis
featuring
Natalie Vella, Okan Husnu, Sophie Angelle, Rad Rudd,
Gregory Pakis, Safoura Alizadeh and The Fiery Angels.
2004, 34 mins, video & performance
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A Sufi Valentine is a unique collaboration between poet Ali Alizadeh and filmmaker Bill Mousoulis. Sufism is a form of Islamic mysticism made popular through the medium of poetry and song. A Sufi is dedicated to love, and to the task of praising the beloved. Rumi, for example, lost himself in the ecstasy of longing. Hafiz, another important Sufi poet, was intoxicated with the magic of union with the creator by drinking from 'the Cup of the World'. In A Sufi Valentine, Alizadeh performs English translations of Rumi and Hafiz, as well as his own contemporary Sufi poems. Accompanying the poems, Mousoulis' film follows six characters on their individual journeys of disenchantment, awakening and bliss: a poet and dancer who are struggling with their art, and four lovesick individuals, engulfed in solitude and yearning. |
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POEMS
FILM
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Ali Alizadeh is a Melbourne-based writer of poetry, narrative and literary articles. He also performs his own and others' poetry. First book Elixir: a story in poetry was published by Grendon Press in 2002. Plays include Irene's Inquisition (Melbourne Fringe Festival 2001) and Elixir (based on the book; Melbourne Fringe Festival 2003). He has performed his poetry in Australia's premier literary festivals, including Melbourne Writers' Festival (1999, 2000 and 2003) and Brisbane Writers' Festival (1996 and 1997). He has won a number of awards including the 2003 Hussen Benn Non-Fiction Award, the 2000 Verandah Literary Award, and the 1997 GUGC National Tertiary Art Prize. His current project is La Pucelle: the Epic of Joan of Arc. He was born in Iran and migrated to Australia at 15, has a B.A. with Honours in Creative Arts, and is currently completing a PhD in Professional Writing at Deakin University. "Sucking in our senses with a compelling simplicity that awes with admiration." - Patrick Mangeni, TEXT. "Continues the tradition of boundary pushing that is fundamental to Melbourne's literature." - Readings Magazine |
Bill Mousoulis is an independent filmmaker based in Melbourne. Since 1982, he has made over 80 films, including 5 low-budget features, the last of which was Lovesick (2002). His work has screened at all the major film festivals in Australia, such as the Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane International Film Festivals, as well as at festivals overseas. His half-hour film Between Us (1989) was awarded 4th Best Film at the St.Kilda Film Festival in 1990. He is the founder of the Melbourne Super 8 Film Group (1985-2001) and the founding editor of the online film journal Senses of Cinema (1999- ) and web designer of the journal Rouge. He is also an occasional critic and programmer (see the upcoming Melbourne Underground Film Festival). "One of Australia's most committed independent film-makers." - Adrian Martin, The Age. "An unmistakable visual style." - Andrew Frost, Filmnews. |
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I
escaped from the city naked,
except for the bag |
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Angel
of Breeze |
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I
want your love to raise me out of life I
need your sun for the rain to come |
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You're
the light-switch You're
the timeless goddess |
Innersense (Bill Mousoulis) website
