ARTWORK DESCRIPTION

Filmmaker and actor Farah Merani narrates this collaboration that culminates in the evolution of a mixed media painting by visual artist Narmin Kassam. Musician and audio engineer Adam Chandran introduces his original guitar piece sparked by the lyrics of Alicia Keys’ “A Beautiful Noise” narrated early in the film: “I felt that the women in the painting were singing as if from a distance. I wanted to interpret that feeling through my guitar as a simple, yet impactful song.”

Filmed by Khalil Kassam, a drum circle led by Aliyan Boodhwani, Aleem Kassam and Zayn Boodhwani sets rhythm to images featuring inspiring Ismaili women, an excerpt on empowerment by Melinda Gates and, finally, the unfolding of the featured artwork. Moved by the layered development of image and voice, the film is brought together by editor Asif Murji’s artful splicing of sound and visuals.

Farah Merani reflects on her involvement with this piece:
“This experience was an example of collaboration at its finest, a synergy of artistic forms and the people inspired to tell the story. I so thoroughly enjoyed witnessing how one piece can evolve into something entirely new and meaningful.”