A feature documentary by Saeed Al Batal & Ghiath Ayoub
On Sunday 3 November, we had our first film-screening: Still Recording as part of Celebrating Syria Festival 2019 at NIAMOS Manchester. The screening highlights the experience of Saeed, who teaches young people the rules of film-making amidst reality that is far too harsh to respect any rule. His friend Milad leaves Damascus and joins him in besieged Douma (Syria) where they set up a local radio station and a recording studio. They hold the camera to film them until one day the camera films them. It is often argued that films can change hearts and lives; this film certainly can. A truly powerful film and audience really enjoyed it!
Saeed Al Batal
Saeed was born in 1988 in Tartous (Syria), Saeed Al Batal is a citizen journalist, photographer and movie‐maker. He gave many trainings on photography and news reporting.
He worked as a reporter for many radios. He writes articles on the Syrian current situation to worldwide agencies/institutions. He is one of the founders of an online gallery entitled “Sam Lenses” and “Humans of Syria” project.
Ghiath Ayoub
Ghiath was born in 1989 in Yabrod, Syria, Ghiath Ayoub is a filmmaker and visual artist with producing and videography experience. He is the co‐founder of a number of open spaces across Beirut such as “Riwaq Beirut” and “Workshop51”.
Ghiath also participates in various civil society initiatives such as “Humans of Syria”, having graphic design work and films that are featured on websites and in exhibition spaces globally.
“Still Recording” is Saeed and Ghiath’s first codirected feature‐length film. They have co‐directed a short film entitled “Frontline” in 2014. Each has also directed other short films.