I was lucky to have a canceled class today as I managed to catch MOMA’s viewing of video artist Jesper Just. After a screening of some of his films, there was an informal talk between him and Guiliana Bruno, film and visual culture scholar. My favorites were his most recent trilogy: A Voyage In Dwelling, A Room of One’s Own, A Question of Silence - 2008 and the black and white A Vicious Undertow - 2007. Just’s work is very intense drifting between reality and the subconscious with emphasis on the aesthetics and high production value. He deals a lot with desire and challenges cultural stereotypes with a painfully beautiful ambiguity. Beautifully scored, his pieces can be enjoyed over and over again. Although you can find parts of his film on youtube, I would not suggest you ruin the experience as it will not do his art justice.

I saw Michel Gondry in 192 Books - Chelsea, NYC - last week for a talk and signing of his new book You’ll Like This Film Because You’re In It: The Be Kind Rewind Protocol. Gondry, a pioneer director famous for shooting avant-garde video clips for artists like Bjork, The White Stripes and The Chemical Brothers within others, is a unique character indeed. He showed us his latest Bjork video clip - Declare Independence - his concept was around the relationship of the singer and her concert audience. This came about after watching Bjork live, “She feeds her audience with her energy and they would respond to her by giving her energy back and so forth” Gondry explained. That explains the creation of the machine Bjork sings into in the video! The clip does have a light fascist feel to it as well; something Gondry assured us was not done on purpose at all!  Bjork - Declaring Independence

His book, on the other hand, introduces a do-it-yourself concept inspired from his latest film Be Kind Rewind. Gondry wanted to put filmmaking in the hands of as many people as possible and establish it as an entertaining past time far from commercial activities and the commercial system. His 80-page guide for creativity and how to have fun while doing it is an enjoyable read for anyone interested in film.

How many times have we opened Arab music channels and sighed with disgust over the quality of the video clips? With the exception of the work of a few directors and artists, the quality seems to be regressing more and more. “Stars” popping up like weeds are coupled with their “Director Stars” counterparts. That is why it is really refreshing to see real talent emerge. Chadi Younes has definitely raised the bar and issued a challenge to all region professionals with his interpretation of Ragheb Alameh’s Sirr Hobbi clip. Basing himself on visual and graphic elements he has managed to direct something of international standard. Such a breath of fresh air between the low production bad love stories we are used to! One thing is for sure, we will certainly be waiting to see what he does next. Watch and see for yourself.

Ragheb Alameh - SIRR HOBBI

Nightlife and restaurant guru Serge Becker tells me all about underground La Esquina. Listen and enjoy - for best results use headphones.

esquina-hala-abdelmalak

It has been a long time but I’m back in the city now. Was Behind the Green Door for some time. It’s a new year and a new president - a time for change! What better way to start off then with some great Obama condoms! We could have definitely used those in Bush times, though (we were royally fucked!)

Enjoy 2009 and tune in for exciting stories.