Biography:
Ismaël has worked as cameraman, sound recorder, editor, screenwriter, producer and director on around twenty art videos, video installations and films. He is the director of Babylon, winner in 2012 of the Grand Prix at the FID Marseille (France) and the producer of The last of us, winner in 2016 of the Lion of the Futur at the Venice Film Festival (Italy).He is also visual artist and writer. His various works were screened and exhibited at the MoMA (New York), the Institute of Contemporary Arts (London), La Friche Belle de Mai (Marseilles), Talmart Gallery (Paris), and the National Cinematheque (Mexico).
Project Info:
The Refugees documentary project is the crossed portraits of Syrians living in Lebanon.Through their stories emerge the fractures and paradoxes of a high-voltage region: stories of struggle and survival unfold in a context of war and exile.
Statement Jury
Mohamed Ismael Louati's film is a deep investigation about a pressing subject: the plight of 3 Syrian refugees trying to battle for survival in Lebanon, in a chaotic and dire environment.The subject of borders and displacement has been a consistent concern of the filmmaker and his sensitive and attentive filmic approach will give a vital insight into this unprecedented exodus, far from a spectacular or bombastic approach.
The BACKSTORY residency is an ideal platform for him to pursue his project which is based in Lebanon.