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Beneath the Surface

In Beneath the Surface, a spoken-word artist reflects on the reality of the Cold War bunker in Nelson, BC, and considers the social injustices and accompanying emotions evoked by the setting and the area.

  • Zaynab Mohammed
    Director
  • Zaynab Mohammed
    Writer
  • Touchstones Nelson Museum
    Producer
  • Zaynab Mohammed
    Key Cast
  • Xochilt Ramirez
    Key Cast
  • Shayna Jones
    Key Cast
  • Jesse Pineiro
    Key Cast
  • Carlo Alcos
    Cinematographer
  • Carlo Alcos
    Editor
  • Carlo Alcos
    Sound recordist
  • Carlo Alcos
    Sound mixing
  • Alex Botton
    Filming assistant
  • Project Type:
    Short, Web / New Media
  • Genres:
    Documentary, Spoken-word
  • Runtime:
    12 minutes 4 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    February 26, 2021
  • Production Budget:
    5,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Canada
  • Country of Filming:
    Canada
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Zaynab Mohammed

Zaynab Mohammed has developed her craft over a dedicated decade of exploration and expression, from the depth of her experience and observation. Poetry is the voice of her heart, the one she weaves her thoughts about the world, how it is and how she dreams it to be, together. Spoken word has given her the confidence to use her voice with wisdom and music bridges the words with emotions. Simplicity is her friend. Clarity is her teacher. Art is her tool.

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Director Statement

Bomb shelters in my home of Beirut are for everyone because everyone is important to survive and to make it through times of crisis. It's interesting that only 70 people in Nelson, BC would have been carried through if the Cold War escalated to a nuclear war. This short film is about what's possible and shifting perceptions, and about taking the old and using it to move forward in a beautiful way, not repeating history. We need each other to carry us forward. The more separated we are, the harder it's going to be to not repeat history.