Film Screening: Ouroboros, Basma al-Sharif

A homage to the Gaza Strip, the film follows one man through five different landscapes in a journey outside of time and an attempt to escape his pain.

Combining 16mm film with archival surveillance footage of destruction in Gaza, the film raises questions about the hope and possibility of return - and the cycles of destruction, occupation and change through the area’s history.

The title refers to the ancient symbol of the snake eating its own tail - commonly used to evoke the cycle of death and regeneration. This reference to mythology and symbolism infuses the film; whether its mysterious movement through time, environments that are alternately beautiful and despairing, or the fragmented love story that weaves throughout.

; you will also be able to donate in cash at the screening.

Film duration: 77 minutes.

Programmed by Abel Holsborough and Maria Anastassiou

With funding and support from Cinema for All and Film London

Please note that young people under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Sensory content notes: ​‘Ouroboros’ contains scenes with flashing lights and strobe effects.

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Basma al-Sharif (b. 1983) is a Palestinian artist working in cinema and installation. She developed her practice nomadically between the Middle East, Europe, and North America and is currently based in Berlin. Her practice looks at cyclical political conflicts and confronts the legacy of colonialism through satirical, immersive, and lyrical works.

She received an MFA from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2007, was a resident of the Fondazione Antonio Ratti in 2009, and the Pavillon Neuflize OBC at the Palais de Tokyo in 2014- 15. She received a Jury prize at the Sharjah Biennial in 2009, the Visual Arts Grant from the Fundación Botín in 2010, Mophradat’s Consortium Commissions in 2018, and is currently a fellow of the Berlin Artistic Research Grant Programme for 2022 – 2023.

Al-Sharif’s major exhibitions include: the 5th edition of Kochi-Muziris Biennale, the Ruttenberg Contemporary Photography Series for the Museum of the Art Institute of Chicago, Modern Mondays at MOMA, CCA Glasgow, the Whitney Biennial, Here and Elsewhere at the New Museum, Berlin Documentary Forum, and Manifesta 8. Her films have been screened in the international film festivals of Locarno, Berlin, Mar del Plata, Milan, London, Toronto, New York, Montreal, and Yamagata amongst others. Her first exhibition at Imane Farès, On Love & Other Landscapes, with Yazan Khalili, was held in 2013.

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