SzaZa will be performing as part of the film screening programme at Pera Museum in Istanbul, featuring works by Roman Polanski, as well as Agnieszka Holland. The programme runs from 1 November to 27 December 2014.
The duo, SzaZa Szamburski / Zakrocki has created a very dynamic soundtrack conversing with Polanski's images, showing how important music and sound can be in film. By referencing Krzysztof Komeda compositions and the original music that was used in these shorts, SzaZa creates a new and unique narrative field.
From all of Polański’s films, his short films have probably the least exposure. Between 1958-1962, as a student of the National Film School in Lodz, Polański created a series of films, from playful technique exercises like Murder (1957) and A Toothful Smile, through metaphorical Break Up the Dance (1957) and Mammals (1962) to Two men and a Wardrobe (1958), which brought Polański international acclaim. These etudes display the glimpses of surreal, often dark style Polański would explore in his later works, as well as narrative genius and relentless search for the truth about human nature, regardless of the cruelty and viciousness he may uncover.
SzaZa's music is a unique blend of seemingly opposite extremes – of noise and silence, pop and contemporary chamber, beauty and ugliness. Using clarinets, a violin, analogue loopstations and subtle effects, the musicians seek to unite those extremes, attempting to free both the stage and the audience from the bonds of rules and cultural givens. Their concerts often take the form of a grotesque, dark play, a performance, sometimes a deep musical statement, but always in interaction with the audience.
Szaza Plays Polański will go live at the Pera Museum in Istanbul on November 28, starting at 20:00.
Shorts by Polański to be featured with live music by Szaza include:
Murder/ Poland, 1957, 1’30’’
A Toothful Smile/ Poland, 1957, 1’27’’
Break Up the Dance / Poland, 1957, 7’38’’
Two Men and a Wardrobe/ Poland, 1958, 15’
When Angels Fall / Poland, 1959, 22’
The Lamp/ Poland, 1959, 7’50’
Previously, Pera Museum also featured various up and coming Polish musicians as part of the Young Wednesday concert series, including performances by Marcin Masecki and Soniamiki. More concerts in the Young Wednesday series this year is featuring Drekoty on 17 September, Mikroelektyw on 24 September and Paula & Karol on 19 December, 2014.
The event is organized as part of the 2014 project celebrating the 600th anniversary of Polish-Turkish diplomatic and cultural relations. View our events calendar at: http://turkiye.culture.pl/en/events
Edited by K.D. 28/07/2014