Created by Bachir Asmar and Jean-Claude Boulos, a series of documentaries titled Unframed was recently launched under the banner of Ziggy’s production company. The premiere of this first season took place on September 9 at Espace Dadour in Jal el Dib.
The premiere night of the Unframed documentaries gathered film enthusiasts for a screening, an artistic performance, a meetup, and an exhibition. It concluded with a Q&A session with the artists, the producer, and the director.
Produced by Bachir Asmar and directed by Jean-Claude Boulos, Unframed highlights each artist’s unique worldview and distinct creations. The films delve into personal artistic nuances, capturing details that define each creator and immersing viewers in a unique artistic universe.
Through film, Elsy Hajjar captures the portraits of artists Tamara Saade, Bsharah Atallah, Donna Khalife, Sarkis Joulfaian, Yasmina Hilal, and Carla Habib, meticulously filmed and complemented by Tania Kammoun’s sound engineering, under the discerning eye of director Jean-Claude Boulos and the meticulous vision of Bachir Asmar.
These films aim neither to glorify nor distort reality but to depict it as it is, detached from a chaotic world. They follow each contemporary artist in their own space, capturing their universe and delving into the revolutionary depths of today’s youth who are creating their own sanctuaries and crafting a new reality, foundational to a novel artistic ecosystem.
This documentary series stands out by highlighting, in the name of art, the complexities of creative or tormented souls, providing a profound yet liberating narrative. It does so with a masterful cinematic subtlety, devoid of pretension. The result? An inquisitive and thorough look at our current world and an unvarnished portrayal of individuals, judgment-free. These films offer a documentary revelation that would increase in historical significance over time.
Jean-Claude Boulos discusses the series’ genesis: “It all started when we were long into connecting people. With several groups of artists being isolated, and once funding became available, we were already developing a project focused on cultural society’s actors, reflecting society. From this, the idea sprouted, and we aimed to spotlight those tirelessly working on their projects. This initiative was a way to provide them with the deserved visibility.”
Before launching these documentaries, Ziggy’s organized events to bring people together through friendly gatherings. “We believe this project is an excellent starting point to create new endeavors and discuss our artistic identity,” he adds.
Bachir Asmar states, “When visiting an exhibition, one sees the outcome without truly knowing the artists or understanding their thoughts. Through this documentary, we aim to bridge the gap between exhibition visitors and the artists, sharing the stories and paths that led to their works. At the event, we organized an exhibition for three artists and a performance for three others, fostering a unique collaboration among them.”
Jean-Claude Boulos highlights the added value of these documentaries: “There are many similar projects, but beyond simple portraits, our films strive to convey our perception of the artists. We ensured the artists’ consent before any screening. The dialogue can later continue online, allowing ongoing interaction. Each artist has a unique experience and personal expression style, enriching the diversity of our documentaries.”
This series was filmed digitally without a predetermined plan, in a spirit of collaboration with the artists, who guided the camera to provide an intimate viewer experience. It is the first time Ziggy’s has received funding for such a project. “No rules or restrictions were imposed on us. We take the reins to create projects that reflect us,” assert Bachir Asmar and Jean-Claude Boulos.
These documentaries will be available online in November, and another screening is scheduled for early October.
For more information, follow the series on Instagram: @Unframed.series and @ziggys.
