Experimenting with film
Now in its fifth year, the Xperimental film festival will see the screening of over 25 works
In every country at various times throughout history there are people struggling away trying to do something different. Perhaps it’s human nature to try and push the boundaries of what is known and pursue a new path.
Here in Cyprus, it’s unfortunate that not everyone gets the coverage they deserve and sometimes things go unnoticed when individuals strive for something new. Over the past few years a group of local filmmakers have been trying to get messages across to the public about the world around us, to change perceptions, to really make a difference.
This group of Cypriot filmmakers have gathered together this year to show their work next Saturday, along with many other foreign films, at the Xperimental film festival, organised by the Pantheon Cultural Association in Nicosia. The film festival continues its success for a fifth time and will include screenings of over 25 short films.
The participants of the Xperimental festival have each developed their own unique style of film, producing an atmospheric result either technically, visually, or through a given concept. “The beauty of experimental film lies within its final result, which can be described as removing boundaries and limits within art,” said Petros Lapithis, president of the Pantheon Cultural Association. “The festival’s main aim throughout its brief but successful history has been to give creative people of all kinds a medium and an opportunity to let them show the Cyprus audience their own personal visions through film.
“Our association believes that experimentation in all forms of art must be supported to keep the vibe of fresh ideas and new ways of thinking alive. The visual artist of the 21st century, fearless when it comes to experimenting with new forms, rises against the status quo and makes challenging propositions.”
Experimentation can in fact be described as an upcoming movement or ‘trend’ that has recently introduced itself to the local arts scene with surprising dynamism. So what messages do the Cypriot participants wish to put across through their work? From alienation and city life, to the ongoing Cyprus problem, it seems that the filmmakers have had a lot on their mind.
Shinex, directed by Sotiris Christou, is about someone who has lost his job and is suddenly left at home with nothing to do. He soon becomes isolated and begins to use a blog to express his agony. The authorities cut off his phone line however as he is unable to pay the bill, and he eventually loses all communication with the outside world. “I was fascinated by the millions of blogs on the internet today and I began to question why people spend so much time sitting by their computer writing their thoughts in an online diary. I was influenced by people I saw doing it around me, and what I though to be signs of alienation,” said Sotiris.
Lia Lapithi has chosen to echo the words of The Clash, Should I Stay or Should I go Now? in a film that expresses her feelings on the Cyprus problem as she questions the current political and military situation on our island. This film, shown at the start of the month at The Mediterranean Film Festival in Montpellier, is playful, darkly humorous and loaded with contradictions and symbols. “It’s funny and entertaining, and although it may come across as rather light, it’s actually talking about quite serious issues,” Lia said. “I’ve been travelling around showing my film trying hard to make people realise that our country is not just all about sun, sex and sea. I want to show things as they really are. I would love tourists to see this short film as the plane touches down in Cyprus.”
The ongoing division of the island seems to be an issue affecting many young artists today as Suzana Phiala and Giorgos Sisamos have chosen to direct their film in an old movie theatre near the Green Line in Nicosia. The video dance, Pallas, experiments with the psychological and physical reactions in an abandoned space. “This was like a psychological experiment for all of us taking part. The dancers, and us as the directors, wanted to see how we felt in such a space,” Suzana explained. “All the uneasiness and awkwardness of the situation is transmitted on camera.”
Talking about experimentation, ever wondered what our capital would look like as a computer animated city? George Pitsillis is the only participant in the festival who’ll be showing a full-length film, where images of Nicosia are shot with a digital video camera and computer manipulation dressed with electronica beats.
International Xperimental Film Festival
With international and local film screenings. November 25. Pantheon Gallery, Corner of Diagorou and Evagorou Avenue. Pantheon Building, 2nd and 3rd floor. 9pm. Free. Tel: 22 670843
