Syrialism

Salam is haunted by his family members left behind in war-torn Syria. By cinematically manifesting their nightmarish visits, this hybrid film taps into a surreal world where the ravaged streets of Der-el-Zor collide with tranquil Norwegian suburbs. In this liminal space, Salam re-enacts what he wishes he could do with his sisters and brother. By staging his nightmares he teleports us to a new narrative, one where he is no longer helpless, where he can tell the whole world to stop asking him to be happy.

Dalia Al Kury’s Syrialism is presented within Today, the last of five chapters in Memories for Forgetfulness Elsewhere, an online film program curated by Irmgard Emmelhainz for e-flux Video & Film. The program streams in five thematic group screenings each two weeks long, and will be accompanied by two live discussions on February 2 and 15.

For more information, contact program@e-flux.com.