"The only thing that remains is oral transmission. If you suppress it, there is nothing left." ( From the film)
Two artists from different generations remember their imagined Izmir.
Joana Hadjithomas and Etel Adnan met fifteen years ago. They soon became close friends. Together they share a city known from family stories: Izmir, or Smyrna as it once was. Having lived in an imaginary Smyrna, where they have never set foot, Etel and Joana discuss themes of imaginary places and belonging. Joana sets off to Izmir and brings back images for Etel. Reminiscent of Calvino's Invisible Cities, Ismyrne is about cities which, like dreams, are made of desires and fears. *Ismyrne and Not Everyday is Spring will be screened together.
Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige collaborate to produce cinematic and visual artwork. Together, they have directed documentaries such as Khiam 2000-2007 (2008) and El Film el Mafkoud (The Lost Film) (2003) and feature films such as Al Bayt el Zaher (1999) and A Perfect Day (2005).
