Private Project

Music Beyond Borders - Story of Wassim Ibrahim

Our world needs more artists than soldiers. As borders divide and boundaries grow, artists can create bridges and find intricate harmonies in apparent dissonance. This is the story of one such artist, Wassim Ibrahim. Hailing from Damascus, Syria, Wassim decided to change his life. He left his country and his civil engineering profession, moved to Poland, and pursued his passion for music. Wassim obtained a Ph.D. in music composition at the Krzysztof Penderecki Academy of Music in Kraków, where he currently lives. He primarily plays Oud (a traditional Arabic string instrument) in various concerts and also collaborates with musicians from different backgrounds. This union of oriental and western classical music creates a unique musical experience. His project, Choir w Kontakcie, provides a safe space for everyone and promotes harmony beyond differences.

  • Madhura Ponkshe
    Producer
  • Akshay Bapat
    Producer
  • Akshay Bapat
    Director
  • Akshay Bapat
    Camera
  • Daniel Sarli
    Camera
  • Surya Teja
    Camera
  • Vikrant Mahalle
    Camera
  • Rasik Tirodkar
    Editor
  • Anuja Bhandare
    Associate Editor
  • Wassim Ibrahim
    Original music
  • Christina Eshak
    Translations
  • Aleksandra Starz
    Translations
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 34 minutes 58 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 31, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    70,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Poland
  • Country of Filming:
    Poland
  • Language:
    Arabic, English, German, Polish
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Akshay Bapat

First time feature director Akshay Bapat is a basically Director of Photography, and editor with over 15 years of experience. Holding a Bachelor of Mass Media from Mumbai University, he has directed and produced a variety of short corporate projects, including interview series for Indian showbiz personalities and short documentaries on historical and cultural subjects like the Buddhist caves of Ajanta. His expertise in cinematography is highlighted through his work on documentaries about Datta Gandhi, Sumitra Bhave, and the Gir forest of India. Akshay excels in managing multi-camera setups and live streaming events, having successfully overseen numerous conferences, corporate events, and concerts. Fluent in Marathi, Hindi, and English, with basic Polish proficiency, Akshay is adaptable and culturally aware. Outside his professional life, he enjoys endurance motorcycling, travel planning, and adventure sports.

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Director Statement

Coming from India and having listened to Indian film music for most of my life has opened my ears and mind to all kinds of musical experiments. Indian film music encompasses everything that the world of music has to offer. With this backdrop, I keep listening to the music that touches my soul, regardless of its country of origin or musical system. That said, I have never learned the technicalities of any music form. Sometime in 2023, I went to record Wassim Ibrahim’s solo concert in Krakow, and it connected with me inside and out. In the one hour of the concert, I experienced almost every emotion except fear. This profound connection triggered me to do some research about Wassim, which in turn inspired this documentary. I personally believe that artists like Wassim should be more celebrated than warriors and soldiers. The work artists do is much more long-lasting and reaches deep into society. Differences can also be celebrated and embraced, just as Wassim does when mixing two musical systems together. I believe these efforts should be documented while the artists are actively creating. I haven't come across any documentary film about an artist while they were still alive and exploring their art. Through this film, I hope to highlight Wassim's efforts to unite the world with music.