MONIRA AL QADIRI
MONIRA AL QADIRI


2013, Music video, 6 minutes

Abu Athiyya (Father of Pain)

Abu Athiyya is a music video based on a piece of Iraqi saga – a Mawwal (lamentation) song performed by the famous southern Iraqi singer Yas Khodhor. The artist plays the role of the singer in an almost ghost-like funerary setting, and perform a knife dancing ritual akin to the choreography of the legendary Iraqi gypsy dancer Malayeen. The video embodies a kind of eulogy towards the aesthetics of sadness – a prominent form of aesthetic appreciation for centuries in the region – that is now rapidly dying away.

Supported by Al-Mawred Al Thaqafy (The Culture Resource), Egypt (2013)

Concept, direction and editing: Monira Al Qadiri; Actor: Monira Al Qadiri; Cinematography: Bassem Mansour, Dana Al Jouder; Song: “I spent years of my life with you” by Yas Khodhor; Remixed with traditional Kuwaiti percussion


2013, Music video, 6 minutes

Abu Athiyya (Father of Pain)

Abu Athiyya is a music video based on a piece of Iraqi saga – a Mawwal (lamentation) song performed by the famous southern Iraqi singer Yas Khodhor. The artist plays the role of the singer in an almost ghost-like funerary setting, and perform a knife dancing ritual akin to the choreography of the legendary Iraqi gypsy dancer Malayeen. The video embodies a kind of eulogy towards the aesthetics of sadness – a prominent form of aesthetic appreciation for centuries in the region – that is now rapidly dying away.

Supported by Al-Mawred Al Thaqafy (The Culture Resource), Egypt (2013)

Concept, direction and editing: Monira Al Qadiri; Actor: Monira Al Qadiri; Cinematography: Bassem Mansour, Dana Al Jouder; Song: “I spent years of my life with you” by Yas Khodhor; Remixed with traditional Kuwaiti percussion