Author Archives: Zhenia Mahdi-Nau

Tapestry of colours – Cork Independent

Tapestry of Colours crosses the border with a special screening in County Cork, ROI!

Cork IndependentThe feedback was incredibly generous and news about the screening managed to get featured in 2 papers!

Cork Independent

“An artistic film that deals with the turbulent lifestyle of Northern Ireland is being showcased at St John’s College Lecture Theatre Thursday 21 March as part of Cork’s Life Long Learning Festival.

Tapestry Of Colours, created by artist, photographer and film maker Zhenia Mahdi Nau, explores the perception of identity in Northern Ireland as it becomes progressively diverse and is being shown for the first time here in Cork.

Zhenia, who was born in Iran but has lived in Northern Ireland for the past 20 years used her creative and artistic skills to direct and produce this memorable and groundbreaking piece of work.

The film brings to the surface the fact that despite differing beliefs and practices of cultures the fundamental qualities are human stories which bypass geography, race, beliefs and culture.

The story of the film centres on this sentiment and follows the quest to find out who you are and to have a sense of belonging that helps us contribute positively to the society we live in.

This thought provoking and poignant piece of cinematography will be shown for the first time in Cork this Thursday at St John’s College Lecture Theatre at 1.30pm”

The link to the article is here »

Comments

“I liked the lightness of the authorial voice – that people felt able to tell their own stories and that that trust – which is central to the film – was engendered.”
Carole Anne Floyed

“Really great and honest.”
Clare McDyre

“Very thought provoking, moving and it causes a desire to get out and become more inclusive and learn about other people + cultures.”
Ara Devine

“It is an eye-opening look at people who are labelled by others based on their nationality. I enjoyed how personal the stories were.”
Eoin Falvin

“Made me think about important issues I would usually overlook.”
Ian Hurley

“I found it different from everything else about N. Ireland.”
Declan Lynett

Tapestry of Colours – Screenings

Public and Special Screenings

17 September 2012 / 2:30pm / The Lyric Theatre, Belfast,
Preview Screening followed by Q&A with Director / Invited guests Only
22 Feb 2013 / 7:30pm / Old Court House Arts Centre, Antrim
Screening only
26 Feb 2013 / 1:00pm / Bushmills Inn (by invitation), Antrim
Screening followed by Q&A with director and discussion
27 Feb 2013 / 7:30pm, Strule Arts Centre, Omagh
Screening followed by Q&A with director and discussion
14 March 2013 / 7:00pm / Magherafelt Council Office
Screening followed by Q&A with director and discussion
18 March 2013 / 7:00pm / Holywood Baptist church, North Down
Screening followed by Q&A with director and discussion
contact Bridget.Burgess@northdown.gov.uk for tickets
20 March 2013 / 7:30pm / Braid Arts Centre, Ballymena
Screening only
21 March 2013 / 1:30pm / John’s College Lecture Theatre, Cork City, ROI
Screening followed by Q&A with director and discussion
Part of Cork City Life Long Learning Festival, Cork

30 April 2013 / 6:30pm / Ballyreamon Barn, Cushendall
Screening followed by Q&A with director and discussion
16 May 2013 / 7:00pm / Market Place Theatre, Armagh,
Screening followed by Q&A with director and discussion/ Bookings: Frances Haughey 028 37529600
17 May 2013 / 1:30pm / St. Patrick’s College, Dungannon
Screening followed by Q&A with director and discussion/ Pupils and staff only
18 May 2013 / 7:30pm / Manor Hamilton Castle, Leitrim, ROI
Screening followed by Q&A with director and discussion/ Bookings: www.theglenscentre.com
20 May 2013 / 1:30pm / The Mayor’s Parlour, Moyle
Screening followed by Q&A with director and discussion/ Bookings: Deirdre Kenney 028 20762225, dkinney@moyle-council.org
20 May 2013 / 6:30pm / Flowerfield Arts Centre, Coleraine
Screening followed by Q&A with director and discussion/ Bookings: Joy Wisener  028 70347044, joy.wisener@colerainebc.gov.uk or Flowerfield Arts Centre
21 May 2013 / 11am / Burnavon Arts Centre, Cookstown
Screening followed by Q&A with director and discussion/ Invited Post-Primary Schools only
22 May 2013 / 10:30am / The Nerve Centre, Derry-Londonderry
Screening followed by Q&A with director and discussion Bookings: Helena Kearney  028 71365151, helena.kearney@derrycity.gov.uk
23 May 2013 / 7:00pm / Mayes Hall Civic & Conference Centre, Craigavon
Screening followed by Q&A with director and discussion/ Bookings: Emma McCabe  028 38313605, emma.mccabe@craigavon.gov.uk
23 May 2013 / 10:30 am / Web Theatre, Newtownards
Screening followed by Q&A with director and discussion, Bookings: Jim Murdock  028 91824076
24 May 2013 / 7:00pm / Sean Hollywood Arts Centre, Newry
Screening followed by Q&A with director, discussion & music/ Bookings: Suzanne Rice 028 30313065, Kerri Morrow 028 30313174
25 May 2013 / 2:00pm / Allley Theatre, Strabane
Screening followed by Q&A with director, discussion & music/ Bookings: Alley theatre 02871384444
13 June 2013 / 7:00pm / Island Arts Centre, Lisburn
Screening Only/ Bookings: Island Arts Centre 02892509254
22 August 2013 / 7:00pm / UNISON, Belfast
Screening followed by Q&A with director and discussion/ Invited UNISON members only
12 September 2013 / 7:00pm / Culture Tech Festival, Orchard Cinema, Derry~Londonderry
Screening followed by Q&A with director and discussion/ Free event. Visit: culturetech.co/event/2013-09-12/screening-tapestry-of-colours

Tapestry of Colours – VIEW

Tapestry of Colours in VIEW MagazineVIEW digital magazine is the new independent voice for the third sector in Northern Ireland. Brian Pelan interviewed me to find out more about the film and the people who feature. The following is an excerpt from the interview…

Director Zhenia Mahdi-Mau, who made the film with financial assistance from the Community Relations Council, is adamant that Tapestry of Colours is not about ethnic minorities.

“It is about me as an artist observing the world as I look at it. Northern Ireland, where I live at the moment, is made up of so many different colours and cultures. In essence, I am interested in how an individual looks at their own identity. It’s not about ethnicity, it’s about human stories. I was very driven about let’s see what happens and where it takes you. Basically I wanted to see what happened when I put the question to each individual. ‘How do you see yourself, what is your culture?'”

Download this edition of VIEW magazine to read the article – click here

Banco De Gaia – Apollo

I am incredibly honored to have had the opportunity to work with Toby Marks aka Banco De Gaia on his new album released this year – “Apollo”.

The album consists of 9 tracks with my vocals on 2 of them: “Lamentations” and “Acquiescence” which start and finish the album respectively. The project was a joy to work on. Banco De Gaia’s music crosses many genres and styles. In their own words “elements of ambient, world and dance music”. “Apollo” has been 7 years in waiting and it doesn’t disappoint. This album is a beautiful musical journey.

Apollo – as described by Toby on Banco De Gaia’s website:

“I would like to think that the heart and soul of my music has remained the same: I may not go to as many all night parties as I once did, but I still like to dance and make dance music; equally, I love building downtempo grooves and making music to chill out and breathe to.”

Apollo is available to pre-order at Bandcamp as a download or to purchase on CD. The download comes with a 7 page PDF booklet plus the front and back cover…the CD however, is in a lovingly designed Digipack with a beautifully printed, 12 page booklet.

There are remixes to follow and possibly a special edition version on vinyl and gigs are sure to follow!

The album launches officially over the weekend of 12-13 April 2013.

More

Banco De Gaia – Apollo – Reviews

Read some excellent reviews sourced from the www of Banco De Gaia’s long awaited album “Apollo”!

The album opens with “Lamentations” – soaring string-sounding synths build up beneath a beautiful vocal from Zhenia Mahdi-Nau, and the sound here is very reminiscent of Dead Can Dance as it conjures up the images of the ancient pagan temples clinging close to the cliff edges on Greek islands.

Read the full review by Gary Parsons at freq.org.uk


The album ends, as it began, with the engaging voice of: Zhenia Mahdi-Nau gracing ‘Acquiescence’, providing an affirming coda to the very welcome return of Banco De Gaia.

Read the full review at www.cd-services.com

Tapestry of Colours

‘Tapestry of Colours’ is an emotive 80 minute feature documentary directed by Zhenia Mahdi-Nau, which explores the fusion of cultures in Northern Ireland.

It features personal and moving interviews with individuals from the two traditional cultures in Northern Ireland and those who have arrived from various parts of the world, set against colourful and unusual festivals with a strong emphasis on music.

The film poses several questions on perceptions and attitudes about identity and culture but ultimately leaves the viewer engaged and inspired.

Funded by NICRC Media Fund Scheme and ZMN Creative Studio

Critique

Some of the responses to ‘Tapestry of Colours’ at its preview in the Lyric Theatre in Belfast:

“…a wonderfully inspiring and most enjoyable film. What a fabulous piece of art!”

“…beautifully shot, poignant, moving and also quite challenging.”

“…what a fantastic piece of work… I was taken aback at just how challenging, professional, interesting and slick the film was.”

“…The colour, humour and music all made for a really enjoyable film to watch.”

Have a look at the films page – click here »

Tapestry of Colours – Art Take Part

Art Take Part“My aim in making Tapestry of Colours was to explore the perception of identity in Northern Ireland as it becomes progressively diverse, multifaceted, probed and challenged, often in unsettling ways. The film poses questions about attitudes toward identity and culture that are commonly asked not just in Northern Ireland but across Europe and in areas around the world where large migrations occur.

It is my hope that Tapestry of Colours will highlight the fact that, despite our differing beliefs and cultural practices, these differences ultimately direct, instruct and enrich our society. The quest to discover who we are, and to achieve a sense of belonging, is not unique to any particular culture. It is that sense of belonging that helps to create the desire to contribute positively to the society we live in.”

View the online article here

Tapestry of Colours – Culture Northern Ireland

Filmmaker Zhenia Mahdi-Nau explores the mergence of different cultures in Northern Ireland in new documentary.

Tapestry of Colours - Culture NI ArticleAs an artist based in Northern Ireland for over 20 years, my work has tapped into my interest and experiences in film and photography, painting and illustration, music, fashion, digital art and motion graphics.

In recent years, however, I have become increasingly intrigued and fascinated by the changing face of Northern Ireland and the questions of identity and belonging that shape individual and community life here…View the online article here