As Above, So Below
كما في السماء، كذلك على الأرض
As Above, So Below (Kama fissamaa', kathalika ala al-ard)
A group of people roams in a bare landscape around a set of swings as their only settlement, as if mapping, exploring, reorganizing the open territory they are in. As they move, changes in soundscapes make them virtually cross geographies. In the sky, a moon-like satellite roves above their heads, following them like an omen. The moon, once symbolizing cyclical times, myths and new beginnings, is now the satellite waiting to be conquered and colonized. Reality and fantasy intertwine in an existential quest. Is a new beginning really possible? As below, so above.
documentary, Sarah Francis, Lebanon 2020, 70 min, b&w and color, Arabic with English subtitles
Produced, written and directed by Sarah Francis | Director of Photography Bassem Fayad | Sound recording Tatiana El Dahdah, Victor Bresse | Line Producer Jinane Chaaya | Production coordinator Lynn Mudallal | Casting Promote Yourself - Roula Sawma | Casting Coordinator Youssef Dghaidi | Editing Sarah Francis | Editing consultant Zeina Aboul Hosn | Sound design and Mixing Victor Bresse | Color Grading Lucid Post - Chrystel Elias
Cast: Naji Adwan, Ali Ibrahim, Abed Abdallah, Chakib Nassif, Charly Kamar, Denise Roukoz, Fawzi, Geoorges Yaacoub, Jocelyn Karam, Lynn Mudallal, Micheline Raad, Samer Sardouk, Samira Abou Jaoude Latef, Suzy Kerchian | Narrator: Sarah Francis
With the support of: Al Mawred Al Thaqafy (Culture resource), Little Lizard Films (Lebanon), Lucid Post (Lebanon)
from the press
Francis’ last film, Birds of September (2013), remains one of the outstanding Arab documentaries so far this century; As Above, So Below cements her reputation as one of the most original, most unpredictable voices in the MENA film scene. (Middle East Eye)
screenings | film-maker Sarah Francis | background material | from the press | textes en français | online interview with the director
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