Son[i]a #411
Philip Rizk
Filmmaker and writer Philip Rizk
Philip Rizk (Limasol, Chipre, 1982) is a filmmaker and writer whose work explores themes of power, resistance, and memory, particularly in the context of social and political movements in Egypt, Syria, Palestine and beyond, in a process he describes as “putting struggles into conversation with each other”.
In choosing to look forward, Philip Rizk is interested in expanding potential futures using the power of filmic storytelling as a tool for exploring paths towards collective liberation. His works challenge dominant narratives while inviting viewers to critically engage with the complexities of power dynamics through an imaginative and speculative outlook.
In this podcast, we speak with Philip Rizk about the past and present of his practice, about imagined scenarios, and about the impossibility of working with images in today’s world. We discuss autonomy, musha’ or land commons, re-enactments, and improvisation as a form of response to imposed order.
With the support
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
CONVERSATION: PANTEA AND ANNA RAMOS. Script and sound production: PANTEA. Voice over: ROC JIMÉNEZ DE CISNEROS. Sounds: RWM Working Group library music.
ATTRIBUTION/NON-COMMERCIAL/SHARE-ALIKE 4.0 INTERNATIONAL (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)
related episodes
Maya Al Khaldi and Sarouna
In this podcast, singer and composer Maya Al-Khaldi and Qanun player, DJ and producer Sarouna talk about the Palestinian music scenes and about their own musical approaches and artistic practices. They question the electronic music genre from a decolonial point of view and talk about the issues around fusion and the exoticization of cultural expression. Folklore emerges as a complex and often disputed concept. The conversation touches on the tensions between the archive and lived experience, the challenges of non-existent or inaccessible archives, and the importance of preserving cultural heritage. They also reflect on the crucial need for collective mourning as Palestinians and talk about the weight of imposed guilt, and about resilience. Sarouna’s thoughtfully captured field recordings of everyday moments in Palestine are woven through the podcast.
Vijay Prashad
In this podcast, Marxist historian, editor, and journalist Vijay Prashad emphasises the power of storytelling, expressing emotion as he critiques imperialism and raises awareness about war. While disagreeing with hyper-imperialism, he recognises the uncertain material conditions that underpin conservative ideologies. Reflecting on Palestinian oppression, he thoughtfully revisits the intertwined histories of European colonialism and antisemitism, with a particular focus on the German context. Though fatigued by dishonest discourse, he finds hope in the dissent of younger generations and the socially constructed courage they embody. And despite attempts at silencing, he embraces the defiant spirit of protest, rallying behind the cry: ¡No pasarán!
Marwa Arsanios
In this podcast, Lebanese artist, researcher, and filmmaker Marwa Arsanios unpacks the many conversational tactics embedded in her modes of working in the gaps between art and activism, in the intersection between ecological thinking, land struggles, and feminist politics. We talk about reading groups, the film object, solidarity as a practice, and using the art economy to bring communities and movements together.
Haig Aivazian
Through media such as lectures, performance, video, drawing, installation, and sculpture, Haig Aivazian’s multifaceted works intricately blend the personal and the geopolitical as well as micro and macro narratives. They uncover or perhaps even fabricate complex threads, timelines and visual networks with multiple layers of meaning and ambiguity. His stories are intended to puzzle, reveal intangible connections, and evoke a sense of ghostly friction among conflicting ideas. In this podcast, we talk to Haig Aivazian about counter-propaganda, sports, blackouts, Palestine, fugitivity and what he calls “the dumping grounds of democracy”.