Sufism in Cinema: The Case of Bab’Aziz: The Prince Who Contemplated His Soul — by Ridade Öztürk

Sufism in Cinema: The Case of Bab’Aziz: The Prince Who Contemplated His Soul — by Ridade Öztürk

Apr 16, 2022

This article presents a discussion of key aspects of knowledge in Sufism through an analysis of the film Bab’Aziz: The Prince Who Contemplated His Soul (Nacer Khemir, 2005). The dominant Western perspective argues for the necessity of a rational, objective form of knowledge which is based on logical argument and precepts. This perspective, however, fails to recognize the alternative form of experiential knowledge which lies at the heart of the Sufi tradition. In this respect, Bab’Aziz is an important film because its content and its narrative technique is an expression of certain knowledge, knowledge without doubt, and kashf, unveiling or discovery. This article compares knowledge in Sufism (Tasawwuf) to the concept of knowledge in the Western tradition, and argues for a reconsideration of the meaning of philosophy as understood by the Ancient Greeks. Originally published in Volume 23, Issue 1 of Film-Philosophy journal and republished here via CC-SA-4.0.

Gaekhir Republik: A Band Singing the Blues in Kashmir — A Short Documentary by NewsClick

Gaekhir Republik: A Band Singing the Blues in Kashmir — A Short Documentary by NewsClick

Summary by NewsClick (via CC): With some intense songs about sorrow and prayer, the band Gaekhir Republik (GR) is one of the few bands that sing about the complexities of life and death in Jammu and Kashmir. Between hopelessness and violence, musicians find it hard to celebrate their art. But many like the GR are making a mark through their lyrical compositions which articulate the themes of struggle, mystery and twilight in the valley. All media embedded directly from source via Creative Commons.

Dancing to the Tunes of an Algorithm: Mapping Labor Through Franco Berardi and Byung-Chul Han — by Muzaffar Karim

Dancing to the Tunes of an Algorithm: Mapping Labor Through Franco Berardi and Byung-Chul Han — by Muzaffar Karim

In this essay, Muzaffar Karim sets an important series of discussions in motion by evaluating four concepts—Time, Labor, Consent, Technology—and their interrelationship in the modern world-system. Karim explores relevant theoretical ideas by Franco Berardi and Byun-Chul Han, applying them to an original and multimodal critique that takes examples from a variety of classic and popular films. The writer also cites earlier work on such topics by influential thinkers such as Deleuze, Guattari, Marx, Foucault, Baudrillard, and others, in a synthesis of ideas that harmonize consistently with core perspectives on set notions and valuations of employment, work, wealth, happiness, etc. These set notions and valuations are problematized and critiqued within the prism of an era governed by digital platforms, data networks, web apps, and big data, all of which have led to the genesis of a new human subject. While maintaining an accessible academic tone, Karim’s essay is equally entertaining and abundant in relatable references and observations that invite critical consideration and needed reflection. Note: The word “labor” is used as Franco Berardi refers to it in his writing.

Decolonizing Space: What The White Lotus and The Chair Get Wrong about Student Politics — by Shayoni Mitra

Decolonizing Space: What The White Lotus and The Chair Get Wrong about Student Politics — by Shayoni Mitra

In this piece, Shayoni Mitra, who teaches at Barnard College, Columbia University, provides a direly needed critique on two highly-watched and trending shows, The White Lotus (Netflix) and The Chair (HBO). While discussing what succeeds and stands out in both series, Dr. Mitra problematizes common fissures that reveal what is deeply absent from the plotlines, characterizations, and thematic undercurrents that respectively shape both of these popular series.

Nazi Hunters — The Complete Season 1 — Eight Episodes (Cineflix, 2011)

Nazi Hunters — The Complete Season 1 — Eight Episodes (Cineflix, 2011)

In a series of “real-life detective stories,” the eight episodes of “Nazi Hunters” relies on archival material and expert perspectives to present the capture of Nazi fugitives responsible for the genocide of millions of people (most of whom were Jews). The series brings to the screen the missions of “a select band of secret agents and avengers” who “hunted down some of the most evil men in history…and finally brought them to justice” after the end of World War II.

Edward Said: The Idea of Empire (1993) — BBC Four Arena Series

Edward Said: The Idea of Empire (1993) — BBC Four Arena Series

In this special from BBC Four’s Arena Series (first aired in 1993), Edward Said discusses his book “Culture and Imperialism” and “explains how the attitudes forged over the last 200 years continue to enforce the relationship between the west and the developing world.” The TV special includes participation by Eqbal Ahmad and others. Video embedded for Fair Use.

Full Documentary Link: Take it in Blood (2013, Rana Ghose)

Full Documentary Link: Take it in Blood (2013, Rana Ghose)

On Mother’s Day, here is Rana Ghose’s “Take it in Blood” (2014), a documentary that follows Kashmiri rapper MC Kash (of GOAT status) as he enters the world of Parveena Ahangar, Founder of the Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons and mother to Javaid Ahmed Ahangar, who at age 16 was “enforced disappeared between the night of the 17th of August and the early morning hours of August 18, 1990.” 

Madhosh Balhami: The Poet of Perseverance (Documentary Series) — by Irfan Dar and Gowhar Farooq

Madhosh Balhami: The Poet of Perseverance (Documentary Series) — by Irfan Dar and Gowhar Farooq

On 15 March 2018, Madhosh Balhami lost his house and thirty years of written poetry to a fire in the middle of a gun battle between Indian soldiers and rebels. Producers and directors Irfan Dar and Gowhar Farooq have come up with a short documentary series on Kashmiri poetry titled “Madhosh Balhami: The Poet of Perseverance”. Here is an updated page with each of the episodes as they are released. In the first episode, Ghulam Muhammad Bhat (Madhosh Balhami) reminisces about “his early education and the trauma of losing his parents at a young age.” Balhami also revisits the “moment when he took to poetry to express his inner anguish” and recites one of his poems (with English subtitles). Camera by Mohammad Irfan Dar and translation by Hanan Zaffar. Additional links are included to familiarize readers and viewers with Madhosh Balhami’s story and greater work. All media embedded directly from original sources.

Michael Moore Presents: Planet of the Humans — Full Documentary — Directed by Jeff Gibbs

Michael Moore Presents: Planet of the Humans — Full Documentary — Directed by Jeff Gibbs

Film Description: Michael Moore presents Planet of the Humans, a documentary that dares to say what no one else will this Earth Day — that we are losing the battle to stop climate change on planet earth because we are following leaders who have taken us down the wrong road — selling out the green movement to wealthy interests and corporate America. This film is the wake-up call to the reality we are afraid to face: that in the midst of a human-caused extinction event, the environmental movement’s answer is to push for techno-fixes and band-aids. It’s too little, too late.

Watch Online: Palestine Film Institute Streams Ghost Hunting(2017) on Palestinian Prisoners’ Day

Watch Online: Palestine Film Institute Streams Ghost Hunting(2017) on Palestinian Prisoners’ Day

Palestinian Prisoners’ Day is commemorated every April 17 to remind the world of the plight of thousands of Palestinians incarcerated in Israeli jails and of the struggle of the Palestinian people as a whole. This week, the Palestine Film Institute has selected director and filmmaker Raed Andoni’s “Ghost Hunting” (2017) as their Film of the Week that can be watched from the Institute’s website. We’ve included relevant links.