Private Project

Maurice El Medioni: the Birth of PianOriental

The story of the dispossessed in full and glorious possession of their music. 'Maurice El Medioni' celebrates the life and music of the Godfather of PianOriental.
The film acts as a musical stave. It holds layers of potential queries and 'what if' notes when thoughts, either musical or historical are placed next to each other in a creative, critical but gentle reminder that we are all, at our roots, the same people.
In this sense we hope it will also act as a reassuring presence to stave off prejudice and celebrate rather than be suspicious of difference. As Maurice points out 'we are all refugees'.
Using his personal diary as lines of support, Maurice teases out the musical influences that built his unique style of PianOriental music - a fusion of Arabic, Jewish, Andalucian and American rhythms and memories (in French 'souvenirs') that sees his left hand play Boogie while his right hand plays Rai.

  • CLIVE MYER
    Director
    The Orchard; The Mire Archive
  • LYNDA MYER-BENNETT
    Director
    The Orchard; The Mire Archive
  • Clive Myer
    Writer
    The Orchard
  • Lynda Myer-Bennett
    Writer
    The Orchard
  • Clive Myer
    Producer
    The Orchard, The Portrait; The Mire Archive
  • Lynda Myer-Bennett
    Producer
    The Orchard, The Portrait; The Mire Archive
  • Maurice El Medioni
    Key Cast
  • Khyam Allami
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Experimental
  • Runtime:
    56 minutes 22 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    November 8, 2019
  • Production Budget:
    2,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    France, United Kingdom
  • Language:
    Arabic, English, French
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Black & White and Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • NonViolent Global Film Festival
    Toronto
    Canada
    September 25, 2020
    North American premiere
    Winner Best Music
  • Wallachia International Film Festival
    Bucharest
    Romania
    September 19, 2020
    European premiere
    Winner Best Performance
Director Biography - CLIVE MYER, LYNDA MYER-BENNETT

Clive Myer has produced and/or directed and photographed experimental drama and documentary films for over 30 years, including Justine, by the Marquis de Sade, The View from Industrial Britain and more recently, two creative documentaries Dorothy Carrington - Woman of Two Worlds and Song of the Falklands.
He co produced the Welsh BAFTA award winning short The Portrait and Co produced and directed the award winning feature film The Orchard.

Lynda has worked for many years with young people and communities to tell their own stories through visual and audio material. She has produced First Light films for the UK Film Council and wrote and directed Veiled (nominated for the DM Davies Award) on behalf of the UK Film Council.
She co produced the Welsh BAFTA award winning short film The Portrait and co produced and directed the award winning feature film The Orchard.
The Orchard feature film was selected for many international film festivals and won Best Feature - Amsterdam Film Festival Screenplay Competition and Best Foreign Feature - Yosemite International Film Festival
The Portrait short film won the 2014 Welsh BAFTA - Best Short Film

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

The film “Maurice El Medioni: The Birth of PianOriental” is about the life and musical influences of the unique Arabic/Jewish//Boogie music of 90-year-old Algerian refugee Maurice, who we filmed over several years, particularly around Marseilles and Paris and in London during Refugee Week at the V&A. Since filming Maurice’s contribution to World Music has been recognised internationally and he has been awarded BBC World Musician of the Year. The underlying theme of the film is the bridge that the music of the dispossessed can make between disparate cultures.
We've just previewed the film at our local venue and it was an amazing event! Accompanying the film was jazz band Eira/Snow who wrote a set especially for the evening, influenced by Arabic/Jewish/Andalusian music. Our Egyptian and Morroccon friends accompanied them on Darbukas and North African snacks were eaten during the evening. We are still getting fantastic feedback! The magic of music and movies! We hope you will enjoy the film as much!