Private Project

Defiance

Extra short poetry film based on the poem "Defiance" by Maḥmūd Darwīsh
"You may fasten my chains
Deprive me of my books and tobacco
You may fill my mouth with earth
Poetry will feed my heart, like blood
It is salt to the bread
And liquid to the eye
I will write it with nails,
eye sockets and daggers,
I will recite it in my prison cell -
in the bathroom -
in the stable -
Under the whip -
Under the chains -
In spite of my handcuffs
I have a million nightingales
On the branches of my heart
Singing the song of liberation."

Interpretation & cinematography : Alkistis Voulgari
Sculpture : PROSPERO
Translation : Our Roots Are Still Alive: the Story of the Palestinian People (New York: Institute for Independent Social Journalism, 1981)
Production : Room 37 Artworks copyright ©️ 2024

  • Alkistis Voulgari
    Director
  • "Defiance" by Maḥmūd Darwīsh
    Writer
  • Room 37 Artworks
    Producer
  • PROSPERO
    Sculpture
  • Our Roots Are Still Alive: the Story of the Palestinian People (New York: Institute for Independent Social Journalism, 1981)
    Translation
  • Project Type:
    Experimental
  • Runtime:
    1 minute
  • Completion Date:
    May 13, 2024
  • Country of Origin:
    Greece
  • Country of Filming:
    Greece
  • Language:
    English
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Black & White
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Festival do Minuto - Online
    São Paulo
    Brazil
    June 18, 2024
    World
    Official Selection, competition
  • The Just A Minute Film Festival (justaminute.tv)
    Winchester, Massachusetts
    United States
    January 10, 2025
    North American
    Official Entry 2025
Director Biography - Alkistis Voulgari

Alkistis Voulgari was born in Athens, Greece. She is an actress and dancer, specialising in the dance technique of Isadora Duncan.

For the last three years she has been experimenting with her own film and performance creations, incorporating theatre, poetry, literature, dance and radio art.

Her work has been presented internationally.

She is gradually visualising and working on the reconnection of theatre with its natural roots through improvisation and exploration of the primitive idea in an open natural space where the film camera becomes the 'director's eye' and an eternal narrative of theatrical, performative, human and life experience.

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Director Statement

My vision is to bring Theatre and the Arts back to nature, discovering new dynamics and a sense of rebirth. I believe in the soul and its limitless horizons. I believe in the non - at - all - perfect Human and our potential for true love and compassion. What always moves me is the desire to resist brutal insanity and an endless hope that people will someday feel their power.