Directed by Francois Verster, The Dream of Shahrazad is among the films to be screened at the 'Beyond Tahrir' screening series held in Madrid's Casa Árabe (Arabian House) Institute between 15 January and 4 March. 

The Dream of Shahrazad, to be screened on 22 February, addresses life post revolution and the heartbreak experienced due to recent developments in Egypt, Turkey and Lebanon’s social and political spheres.

The Dream of Shahrazad employs music, politics and storytelling, presenting stories in the style of the literary classic Arabian Nights, using its main character Shahrazad as a metaphor.

The film’s multiple characters include a youth orchestra conductor, a Cairene storytelling troupe, a troubled Lebanese actress, as well as various others, all employing art for a new political use, in addition to exploring how creativity can be used to fight oppression.

Francois Verster is an award-winning South African documentary director whose films have won awards, most notably an Emmy for Outstanding Cultural and Artistic Achievement in 2006 for A Lion’s Trail.

The Beyond Tahrir series also includes films from other Arab countries, including Syria, Morocco and Tunisia.

The films include Horses of God by the Moroccan Nabil Ayouch; Silvered Water, a Syrian film by Ossama Mohammed and Wiam Simav Bedirxan; Tunisian Spring by Raja Amari, among others.

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