Sound Of Crisis Portrayed by Ai Wei Wei
Ai Wei Wei directed Human Flow a documentary about the immersive and heartbreaking expedition and discovery into the global refugee crisis.
Ai Wei Wei directed Human Flow a documentary about the immersive and heartbreaking expedition and discovery into the global refugee crisis.
WHERE ITS BEST WITH NO MUSIC
Why Music On Mute Isn’t So Bad After All
“A Dedication to Klaus-Peter Beyer and the Sound Department at Human Flow, A German Documentary Film Directed by Ai Wei Wei, Music By Karsten Fundal“
Editor’s personal hashtags:
#recalibrating#unapologetic #whatcanwedo#humanmigration #change #notimetolose #fastforwardplease#nomusic
Ai Wei Wei lives in an era where harsh visuals questions the power that runs the country, with an aim to penetrate the inner conscience in everyone of us. For the last decade, Wei Wei’s perspective has always been a more personal endeavor in his journey through live. For once, this artists turned activist and film director makes headlines many may rather wish differently.
He made an impression on a young undergraduate, who in her young naive mind unbeknownst to what will cease her on a sunny Sunday afternoon along the Thames, sees one of his earliest exhibitions at Tate Modern. In one of the most visually spectacular introduction of a man’s journey to saving humanity is of Ai’s artwork that carperted Tate Modern with millions of handmade sunflower seeds. I was blown away by the dainty hand-made sunflower seeds in the middle of a large room spanning almost 2,000 sq ft.
His latest works – Human Flow – documented his journey following refugees the moment they arrive on a boat, roaming the animal farmlands on their march to Germany – the land which they believe would provide shelter, work and security for their families.
Upon discovery by Europe’s security force. Image courtesy of Human Flow, Directed by Ai Wei Wei.
Political activist and artist Ai Wei Wei‘s latest film ‘Human Flow’ documents one of the largest human migration of our time. People, affected by war, famine, drought, and political unrest, are leaving their homelands and spending generations living in refugee camps, stripped off their human rights to basic food, hygiene and health, and ultimately, loosing their freedom.
The MUSICAL/SONIC element found within the film was not created by any composer or songwriter but rather, the sound of mundane steps of each foot towards yet another border; the requiem of songs sung by a lonely bird in its cage while it’s owner is patching up a muddy roof, the children’s cries losing someone close; the echos surrounding the walls in refugee camps, and discussion and confusion among the unrest with questions remaining: where do we go now?
Oh ye soul, how have you under-appreciated your own life and of others – a reflective mood where its best with no music. Here we are squabbling for every day luxuries: which party to attend, which playlist to play first at school runs, or just a choice to whether you’d be stuffing yourself with jellybeans or popcorn at the movies. Where do we go from here? Calling all DJs to bring back humanity just as how Geldof, Lennon and many others have done to end the war. This is your time.
“Alles in Ordnung” Image courtesy of Human Flow, Directed by Ai Wei Wei.
Text below was initially published by Human Flow.
Over 65 million people around the world have been forced from their homes to escape famine, climate change and war in the greatest human displacement since World War II. Human Flow, an epic film journey led by the internationally renowned artist Ai Weiwei, gives a powerful visual expression to this massive human migration. The documentary elucidates both the staggering scale of the refugee crisis and its profoundly personal human impact.
Captured over the course of an eventful year in 23 countries, the film follows a chain of urgent human stories that stretches across the globe in countries including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, France, Greece, Germany, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Kenya, Mexico, and Turkey. Human Flow is a witness to its subjects and their desperate search for safety, shelter and justice: from teeming refugee camps to perilous ocean crossings to barbed-wire borders; from dislocation and disillusionment to courage, endurance and adaptation; from the haunting lure of lives left behind to the unknown potential of the future. Human Flow comes at a crucial time when tolerance, compassion and trust are needed more than ever. This visceral work of cinema is a testament to the unassailable human spirit and poses one of the questions that will define this century: Will our global society emerge from fear, isolation, and self-interest and choose a path of openness, freedom, and respect for humanity?
Amazon Studios and Participant Media present, in association with AC Films, Human Flow, a film directed by Ai Weiwei. Human Flow is produced by Ai Weiwei, Chin-Chin Yap and Heino Deckert and executive produced by Andrew Cohen of AC Films with Jeff Skoll and Diane Weyermann of Participant Media. The film was released on September 1, 2017.
Karsten Fundal is also music producer of The Adventures of Prince Achmed.
Reference of the documented film directed by Ai Wei Wei can be found here.
