THE ART OF EXILE
The films
The films can be screened as a trio or individually. Each film is 7 minutes long. The total running time for all three films is 21 minutes - ideal for events, conferences and classroom use.
Mai Khoi: I Sing What I See
How does a famous Vietnamese pop star transform herself and her work, after she is banned from performing in her own country, and then exiled? We follow Mai Khoi, the “Lady Gaga of Vietnam,” on her first tour in the United States, where she relishes in the excitement of playing openly- from an improv session in the subway to a concert at Lincoln Center.
We witness her evolution from pop star to mature artist, as she reflects on the sacrifices she’s made, and the joys of the new, experimental direction her music is taking. Soulful freestyle jazz combines traditional Vietnamese instruments with jarring, often discordant vocals, expressing, as Mai Khoi says, the “revolution” in Vietnam.
A Ship From Guantanamo
Moath al-Alwi has never been charged with a crime, but he has spent over 19 years at the U.S. military detention camp in Cuba. “A Ship From Guantánamo,” a six and a half-minute New York Times Op-Doc video, tells the story of the art he makes to survive — and escape.
Despite the limited materials available within the prison, Mr. al Alwi builds elaborately detailed ships out of found materials like dental floss, prayer beads, sponges and old T-shirts, often given to him by other inmates and even guards. “I want people to know that we can make beautiful things,” says Mr. al-Alwi, “even in a place like Guantánamo.”
The Ex-Criminal
An Egyptian novelist’s tales of youthful defiance and sexual exploits land him in jail during the height of Egypt's crackdown on free expression.
This short film brings his story to life, using animation drawn from his graphic novel. “The Ex-Criminal” is a timely portrait of a young writer’s struggle to remain true to his vision and tells the story of how he survived both the boredom of prison and the pain of exile.