A Mezrab night full of Djinn-related stories, all originally told during screenings of Djinn films at Imagine Fantastic Film Festival. Here's a list of the storytellers and the films their stories were inspired by.
Sarah Montazeri (Iran). Film: Three.
Sarah Montazeri believes theatre holds the power to invoke emotions, to connect people and to make the world a better place. She's a true storyteller, able to both entertain and move an audience. Her charisma and versatility bring her historical and fictitious characters to life. She knows how to create the right mood and emotion with her performances, leaving a lasting impression.
Sia Cyrroes (Iran). Film: Dabbe - The Possession.
Actor and storyteller Sia Cyrroes' parents fled Iran in 1992. He started acting at 17. In 2016, he was cast in the Dutch young adult show SpangaS, in the part of Iranian refugee Ramin Sabet. He took on the same part in the SpangaS op zomervakantie spin off. Het also acted in Gouden Uur and Dertigers.
Sahand Sahedivani (Iran). Film: The Death Throes.
Storyteller and musician Sahand Sahebdivani is the founder of the contemporary storytelling scene in The Netherlands. He is known for his shows in which he combines the ancient tales with his personal stories and that of his family. He started the storytelling stage Mezrab in 2004 and for his work was awarded the title storyteller of the year in 2014 and the Herman Divendal Award in 2017.
Raffi Feghali (Lebanon). Film: Hwjn.
Raffi Feghali works mostly in Europe, USA, and the Middle East while being based between Amsterdam and Beirut. As a theatre maker, he draws on the meeting point of improvisational theatre (improv) and storytelling (especially rooted in the 'hakawati' tradition) in order to inspire his performing, writing, directing/devising, radio dramas, sound design, and music. He is a member of the Lincoln Theater Center Directors Lab 2018.
Can Bora (Turkey). Film: Hüddam 4: Ahmer.
Can Bora is a Turkish queer multimedia artist-researcher and somatic instructor specializing in theatre, dance, performance art, and performance-based filmmaking. Can’s artistic practice centers on the somatic body as a vessel for challenging and re-examining societal systems, structures, and cultural codes. He has performed and exhibited at Podium Mozaiek, OT 301, CC Amstel, the Flemish Cultural Center De Brakke Grond, and Grey Space in Amsterdam.
