Akka on my Mind
Akka On My Mind is full of humanity and reveals an innate sense for cinema. We can describe it as a sort of UFO in the style of naïve cinema, or raw cinema, or, as it is called in his film, jazzy cinema! (filmskaper Michel Khleifi)
Dokumentaren Akka On My Mind er laget uten budsjett og stab - en film "om stjålne landområder filmet med et stjålet kamera". Filmen er satt til Shatila flyktningeleir sør i Beirut der vi møter Maryoma, en ulovlig innvandrer fra Bangladesh, Khaled, en syrisk gutt som flyktet fra krigen i Aleppo og filmskaperen selv, Mahmoud Albishtawi, som er palestinsk flyktning og vokst opp i leiren med en bestefar som måtte forlate hjembyen Akka i 1948. Filmen viser mangfoldet av livsformer i Shatila, en leir som har blitt selve symbolet for "hjemland" for fordrevne, og tilfluktsstedet der alle kan gjenskape sitt eget Akka.
About the director
Mahmoud Albishtawi was born twice, in Latakia and Beirut, in 1997 BC and in 49 AN ”After Nakba”, understanding that time is not a concept and places are privileges. His inspiration to pursue a career in art stemmed from the realization that "art seeks a career in us," with memories of an unhealthy amount of Fuji cameras from his childhood. Describing his childhood as "amazing, but would have preferred a better mattress". Mahmoud's earliest experiences with art included reporting news from his window at age 5 and being captivated by Steven Spielberg's film Saving Private Ryan at age 8, igniting his passion for film.
Formally educated at the Lebanese University, Mahmoud's artistic style is known for its survivalist approach, constantly connected to reality yet full of fiction. His work explores themes of exile, love, and the absurdity of life. Mahmoud has participated in various exhibitions, performances, and residencies globally, including notable events such as the Arab Week Festival in Paris and performances in Oslo and Brussels.
While Mahmoud cherishes awards like his mother's approval and his father's recognition of his Palestinian identity, his true influences lie in people and experiences, borders, lovers and enemies. Outside of his solo work, Mahmoud collaborates on projects such as "Human Animals" and the exhibition "Lost Tapes of a People's Tribunal" at Fotogalleriet in Oslo, along with acting in a leading role in the film "Paris Paris".
Viewing art as a transformative process, Mahmoud believes that artists are the carriers of their messages and inspirations and that the results should always be entertaining and meaningful. His journey as an artist is marked by personal anecdotes including his third exile to Belgium, second love, and first payment.
Looking to the future, Mahmoud aspires to reach a point in his human experience where he no longer feels the need to create art.
- Mahmoud Albishtawi