Recent Event Highlights: Forget Her - Magic is Küntmaster, MUHAMMAD AND JANE (part14: The Conclusion), MUHAMMAD AND JANE (part 13), MUHAMMAD AND JANE (part 12), MUHAMMAD AND JANE (part 11), MUHAMMAD AND JANE (part 10), and 37 more...
Created by dipity on Dec 1, 2008
Last updated: 12/18/08 at 08:26 AM
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I ran into Usama at the rally. Usama is an acclaimed filmmaker and his is also a radio host at the new Chicago Public Radio Station vocalo.org. He also used to work for Studs Terkel as his archivist and was even the subject of a chapter of one of Studs’ recent books. Usama’s film Nice Bombs will be on The Sundance Channel later this month! Visit DanceHabibi for more info
directed by Usama Alshaibi starring Manal Kara music by Winker's Army Premiered at the Printers Ball, Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago 2008
Excerpt
...Jonathan Messinger’s reading series, the Dollar Store, will put on a show, featuring poet Quraysh Ali Lansana, filmmaker Usama Alshaibi and radio artist Julie Shapiro. See “Ballers’ delight.” 5–10pm. Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E Chicago Ave at Mies van...
Source Info
Time Out Chicago
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http://www.timeout.com/chicago/blog/out-and-about/?p=7641
Tell the Police the Truth - A music video by Usama Alshaibi, an Iraqi-American Filmmaker who lives in Chicago. Featuring the local band Mah Jong, this piece addresses the subject of torture and police brutality. Chicago Independent TV CITV August 08 Episode - part 4 http://chicago.indymedia.org Download previous episodes here: http://www.chicagoindependenttv.org
video; color; 2:39, May 2008 video by Usama Alshaibi audio by The Thief of Baghdad
Done with watercolors, inks and cheap video. By Usama Alshaibi
Magic Is Küntmaster "Forget Her" from the album Wrath ©2008 C.G. Ha and Somnimage Corp. Shot and directed by Kristie Alshaibi. Edited by Usama Alshaibi. Backdrop paintings by Randall Christopher Bailey. Art by Camilla Ha. Thanks to Jami Primmer, Jan Van Den Dobbelsteen, Danielle LeMaire, John Bovio, Grace Delcano, Fat Rabbit Studios.
http://www.medicinefilms.com/watch?v=191851 Mahjongg music video directed by Usama Alshaibi director of photography Amy Cargill thank you Jerry, Eric, Mariapaz, Luca, Co-Prosperity Sphere Shot on location in Chicago winter 2008
Panicsville "Stabbed in the Face";digital and analog video; manipulated 16mm film; color; Made in Chicago (2003) video by Usama Alshaibi music by Andy Ortmann Panicsville music video. For more info visit Nihilist Records. screenings Hungry Brain. Chicago Underground Film Festival (2004) Audiophilia, The Z Film Festival (2004)
For lovers.
Bobby Conn "Angels"; DV; color; 4:30 (2002) director, camera, editor: Usama Alshaibi "Richard had a party so many years ago We was only seventeen and the scene was a fantasy we'd stolen from an English queen" -Bobby Conn album "Golden Age." Go here to watch Angels. starring: Gregory Jacobsen, Emily Hasselhoff, Jeb Fowler dancers: Echo Transgression, MP, Coco Nizzelle, Camilla Ha, Lisa Flores, Kris Nugent, Nickolas Rossi, Ceven mother: Barbara DeGenevieve make-up & camera B: Colleen Walker lighting: Piotr Tokarski, John Guleserian
by Usama Alshaibi Chicago 2008 USA
waterbabie video by usama alshaibi
video by Usama Alshaibi music by WATER BABIES (Hunter, Josh, Dan, Mikale)
The Final Chapter directed by Usama Alshaibi
Directed by Usama Alshaibi
Directed by Usama Alshaibi
Directed by Usama Alshaibi
Directed by Usama Alshaibi
Directed by Usama Alshaibi ©2007
Directed by Usama Alshaibi ©2007
Directed by Usama Alshaibi ©2007
Directed by Usama Alshaibi ©2007
Directed by Usama Alshaibi ©2003
Directed by Usama Alshaibi ©2003
Directed by Usama Alshaibi ©2003
Directed by Usama Alshaibi ©2003
Go watch Part 2 until the conclusion with Part 14. Directed by Usama Alshaibi ©2003 Starring Piotr Tokarski and MP Soundtrack by Andy Ortmann and Camilla Ha Produced in Association with Artvamp LLC. Additional Cast: Richard Barrows, Rebecca Joynt, Shishaldin Hanlen, Rob Medina, Joylanta Briks, Kris Nugent, Richard Bluestein, Ewa Boryczko, Mark Siska, Tom Palazzolo. Co-Director, Digital Sound Recordist and additional Videography by Kristie Alshaibi Additional Videography and Boom Operator Colleen Walker. Recipient of the Chicago Underground Film Fund Grant 2003, a program of the Chicago Underground Film Festival. Shot between September and November, 2002 in Chicago, U.S.A. Completed August, 2003. "A laconic drifter (Piotr Tokarski) born in Iraq returns to Chicago to straighten out his U.S. immigration status, and though a friend warns him of the prevailing anti-Muslim sentiment, he unwisely hooks up with a desultory woman, accompanies her to a hedonistic party, and attracts the attention of the FBI. Local video maker Usama Alshaibi is the sort of canny visual stylist who can sustain a mood... the handheld videocam, tight close-ups, and disorienting angles create a potent sense of paranoia. The haunting score is by Andy Ortmann and Camilla Ha." (Ted Shen)-Chicago Reader (August 28, 2003) "There's nothing like a good dose of paranoia to feed the senses, according to Chicago filmmaker Usama Alshaibi. His film MUHAMMED AND JANE is a black-and-white tale about an Iraqi-Polish man, Muhammed (Piotr Tokarski), attempting to return to the United States with a few illegal passports under his belt. Once he gets past airport security, albeit in a sweat-induced state, he is increasingly dogged by claustrophobic fear in his quest for a place to stay. He finds it and subsequently meets Jane Doe (Melina Paez), a girl running through the alley and mutually haunted by some unimaginable force. She and Muhammed instantly click; the only catch to their bliss is that which Jane is running from, dealing with dead bodies and a good deal of suspicion. Because this film is set just prior to the time when the United States invaded Iraq in early 2003, one could surmise that Jane represents the U.S. as she is hunted by her own intentions, with Muhammed becoming her unknowing counterpart. Their relationship foreshadows a different match destined to be made in real life, although not one nearly as happy as theirs, and raises an interesting point as far as speculating how the relationship between the U.S and Iraq will develop over the coming years. An American born of Iraqi descent, Alshaibi has the unique ability to creatively tap into current events with a fresh and involved eye. MUHAMMED AND JANE takes an experimental form, informed with a narrative storyline and envisioned with the hand-held and unforgiving, observational quality of a documentary. Its scenes consistently demand interplay between these elements and Muhammed's state of mind, which implores for him to always look over his shoulder, and benefits from fantastic performances by Tokarski and Paez. " - Erin Anadkat, MICRO-FILM #7 (Spring 2005) Copyright 2003 Alshaibi
director, digital animation: Usama Alshaibi Allahu Akbar is based on ancient Islamic Allover patterns that are used for various artistic ornamentation in Arab culture. In Islam it is forbidden to have depiction's of God or the Prophet. Complex geometrical patterns are used to praise the perfection of God in nature. My Father came to visit me from the Middle East and brought me a book of these hand drawn Islamic patterns. These beautiful and intricate designs were on this brown newsprint, it looked like a book a craft-person would use, almost like a blueprint. I took these images, scanned them, cleaned them up and started animating them. I began to spin and move these Allover patterns in post-editing motion tools. New images emerged and created an entirely different way of viewing these traditionally static designs. Allahu Akbar attempts to come closer to that ultimate beauty and mystery which is God. "In Allahu Akbar, the US based filmmaker Usama Alshaibi has created joyful and playful animations out of the traditional geometric themes of Islamic art. These complex geometries are rendered in simple black and white, and then superimposed and spun around their central axis, in a close rhythmic relationship with the lively soundtrack of traditional and popular Iraqi music. The result is a giddy playfulness, reminiscent of psychedelic Pop Art, and far removed from the contemplative quiet I normally associate with Mosques and the inner courtyards of traditional Arab architecture. The video also recalls the films of Harry Smith. My only complaint is that, for a person like me who really loves this music, I could have watched a much longer film which used at least one complete musical selection!"-RESISTANCE(S) DVD Review by David Finkelstein (Film Threat 2006) "Usama Alshaibi's Allahu Akbar, whose hypnotic geometrical patterns seem inspired by Islamic art but whose bouncy sound track rebukes ultraorthodox Islam's prohibition of sensual pleasures, including music." (Fred Camper) recommended program-Chicago Reader (Nov.21, 2003) Allahu Akbar is also available on 'RESISTANCE[S]: Experimental films from the Middle East and North Africa and is on a global tour to promote the DVD. For more information go to: lowave.com
Excerpt
...aesthetics in its exploration of Iraq at the onset of the American Occupation as Baghdad-born, experimental filmmaker Usama Alshaibi, accompanied by his Kansas-bred blond wife and his estranged father, returns to the country and the extended family he hasn't...
Source Info
Variety
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http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/variety/headlines/~3/132424089/VE1117934135
video by Usama Alshaibi and Kristie Alshaibi audio by Andy Ortmann
My Dad plays Iraqi music. Video by Usama Alshaibi
"WHEN THE MONEY'S GONE" directed by USAMA ALSHAIBI music by BOBBY CONN produced by KRISTIE ALSHAIBI cinematography by CHRIS REJANO edited by AMY CARGILL starring SIMONE RAWSKI EHSAN GHOREISHI BEN BERKOWITZ make-up and hair CAMILLA HA art and design LOGAN BAY
Magic Is Küntmaster live at the Empty Bottle, Chicago, April 19, 2007 Video and Edit by Usama Alshaibi Shot using Canon Power Shot SD600 Digital Elph music by Camilla Ha performers are: Jayme, Lulu, Simone & Feather
This DVD compilation, RESISTANCE[S], includes eight films and videos from Middle Eastern and North African artists. It's a panorama of contemporary experimental creativity from this region of the world. As international travellers, these filmmakers have forged their with the different cultures that they've encountered through periods of migration and exile. Using images to lead the narrative, each artist succeeds in raising fundamental questions relating to humanity, politics and aesthetics. Taysir Batniji / Mounir Fatmi / Usama Alshaibi / Lamya Gargash / Frederique Devaux / Zoulikha Bouabdellah / Wael Noureddine / Jayce Salloum DVD available on http://www.lowave.com
by Usama Alshaibi music by Andy Ortmann
A short scene from the motion picture SOAK directed and written by Usama Alshaibi. Starring Piotr Tokarski, Tom Gilbert, Colleen Walker and Camilla Ha. Shot in 2002.
director, camera, edit: Usama Alshaibi (music & performance by Kristie Alshaibi) Study of a schizophrenic girl in her own language.
digital video; color; stereo; 5:45 min (completed October 2004) Video by Usama Alshaibi Belly Dance by April Jouse Digital Stills by Kristie Alshaibi
Director Usama Alshaibi. Producer by Kristie Alshaibi. cinematography CHRIS REJANO edited by AMY CARGILL art and design by LOGAN BEY starring BOBBY CONN & MONICA BOU BOU
"KING FOR A DAY" MUSIC VIDEO MUSIC BY BOBBY CONN VIDEO BY USAMA ALSHAIBI PRODUCED BY ARTVAMP
video ; color; 8:05 minutes (March 2006) by Usama Alshaibi Qawliya means Gypsy and the Qawliya gypsies are a small minority in Iraq. They have roots from Spain and India, as well as other Arab countries. Many of the gypsies live in tribal areas between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. The Qawliya dance is usually played with the Iraqi Chobi style of music. The rapid fire of drums and manic energy made this a favorite among the elite during the rule of Saddam. Since the United States occupation of Iraq in 2003, some of the poorest Qawliya areas, known for their red light districts, became easy targets for religious militia groups. Many of their villages have been destroyed or taken over by such militias and has forced the Gypsies to flee north.
In Nice Bombs filmmaker Usama Alshaibi returns to Baghdad to reunite with his family after nearly 24 years. This documentary navigates through his unique relationship to an Iraq that is much different than the country of his childhood. Usama captures the conflicting reactions to the conditions of life in Baghdad. Through a wide range of opinions and experiences he provides a broad panorama of voices long neglected under Saddam's regime. His cousin Tareef enters the room upon hearing an explosion. "It's a bomb. A Nice Bomb," he explains. The phrase is indicative of his family's nonchalance about their situation. As one young boy put it, "We're Iraqis. It's normal." With humor and resilience Nice Bombs explores Usama's dual role as both Iraqi and American.In Nice Bombs filmmaker Usama Alshaibi returns to Baghdad to reunite with his family after nearly 24 years. This documentary navigates through his unique relationship to an Iraq that is much different than the country of his childhood. Usama captures the conflicting reactions to the conditions of life in Baghdad. Through a wide range of opinions and experiences he provides a broad panorama of voices long neglected under Saddam's regime. His cousin Tareef enters the room upon hearing an explosion. "It's a bomb. A Nice Bomb," he explains. The phrase is indicative of his family's nonchalance about their situation. As one young boy put it, "We're Iraqis. It's normal." With humor and resilience Nice Bombs explores Usama's dual role as both Iraqi and American. An Artvamp Benzfilm Group Production Directed by Usama Alshaibi http://www.nicebombs.com
"You've Come A Long Way, Bobby Conn Band Live at The Empty Bottle" DV; color; 9:10 min. (recorded live on January 11, 2002 completed March 2005) video by Usama Alshaibi second camera by Colleen Walker
DV; color; 2:15 (2000) director, camera, editor: Usama Alshaibi A man swimming during a lovely night.
Be patient the title stays on for a long time. DV; color; 5:30 (2000) director, camera, editor, sound design: Usama Alshaibi Muffin is sweet. Muffin is soft. Muffin will spit and cut your head off. "Usama Alshaibi's Muffin, an eerily stylized deconstruction of exploitation and violence in life and cinema." -Lisa Alspector, Critics Choice, Chicago Reader, Feb 11,2000
Islamic holiday tradition shot in Baghdad, 2004. digital video ; color; 2:05 minutes (2006) music by Strepsata starring Hayder video and edit by Usama Alshaibi
"Formally, an intriguing depiction of video as forward motion, or as technology of road movies and dreams. Alshaibi intercuts footage of a Southeastern Asian trip with a young man's venereal disease-influenced fantasies of a strange young woman." -Ray Pride (Newcity. Aug.22, 2002) written, edited & directed by USAMA ALSHAIBI starring TOM GILBERT
video by Usama Alshaibi with help from Kristie Alshaibi shot in Chicago USA 2002 We live in the future, a landscape of machines and dreaming. Unknown signals pass through our bodies and through the spaces we inhabit and then abandon.
Bobby Conn & The Glass Gypsies performing "Home Sweet Home" for the Live Classics Volume One live album. Directed by Usama Alshaibi. Recorded July 24th and 25th 2004 before a live studio audience. www.bobbyconn.com | www.bobbyconn.co.uk
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