The Basilicata Museum Complex and the MAXXI, in collaboration with the Matera-Basilicata 2019 Foundation, present two new video works by the Iranian artist Shirin Neshat.

On the occasion of Matera European Capital of Culture 2019, the Iranian artist presents two works taken from his latest feature film Looking for Oum Kulthum (2017) starring Mitra, a director of Iranian origins who has the dream of making a film dedicated to legendary Egyptian singer Oum Kulthum, loved throughout the Arab world. Dreamlike images overlap with historical reconstructions of the singer's life and the story of Mitra's existence, made even more tormented by the disappearance of her son.

As if transported in a dream, in Remembrance we see a boy led by the singer's voice into a sort of space-time labyrinth. The young man's gaze reveals the many facets of the Kulthum icon, its intimate and melancholy side and at the same time the strength of its stage presence and the deep desire for freedom. In the video In Trance the focus is on the mystical power of his music, capable of hypnotizing listeners. In this reflection on the ecstatic experience linked to Kulthum's voice, the fragility and uncertainties of the young singer emerge as she wonders how to be able to emotionally approach her audience.

On 11 September at 18:00 a talk will be held with Shirin Neshat together with the Director of the Polo Museale of Basilicata Marta Ragozzino and the Director of MAXXI Arte Bartolomeo Pietromarchi. Afterwards, at 7.00 pm, the screenings will be open to the public.