THE ARTISTIC REVOLUTION (IT)

Independent Films, Politics, Documentaries

Libya has taken to creative expression in a big way since the revolution, with new art, newspapers and music. Now street art is sweeping the capital, Tripoli.

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Transcripts / Production notes / Scripts

---VOICEOVER---
The revolution has lifted the lid on a repressed society and the people in Libya are making up for lost years. They’ve taken to the streets, seeing the city as a blank canvas, filling the space with images and words that just a few months earlier would have got them locked up or worse.
---SOUNDBITE--- (ARABIC W/ ENG VO)
“If I drew these drawings while Qadhafi was still in power, I would’ve been executed as punishment, and my family, they would’ve been arrested or even killed too.”
---VOICEOVER---
One of the most striking pieces of art was this mural, bearing the names of those from the area killed since the uprising began.
(pause)
The art ranges from the date of liberation or funny caricatures of their former dictator, to expressions of anger felt by the Libyan people.
---VOICEOVER---
In other cities around the world this is illegal and would be labelled as graffiti often being seen as an eyesore, but here it’s welcomed, illustrating the newfound freedom of expression.
Out of all the people we spoke to, no one had a bad thing to say about this colourful addition to Tripoli life.
---SOUNDBITE--- (ARABIC W/ ENG VO)
“I like these drawings they are beautiful, you can feel the creativity in the paintings by the Libyan youth and their talent. Thanks god there are some gifted Libyan artists.”
---SOUNDBITE--- (ARABIC W/ ENG VO)
“I feel proud, it’s a new wave that didn’t exist before. I discovered myself after the revolution of February 17th. Libyans have discovered themselves through these paintings.”
---SOUNDBITE--- (ARABIC W/ ENG VO)
“It’s art and makes you feel that we are liberated. The artists of Libya are doing something, even if it is a small step, they are doing something.”
---VOICEOVER---
People have played a part in the revolution in different ways, whilst some reached for a gun, Muhammad Al Zokar reached for his paint brush and spray cam, illustrating his own part in the revolution the only way he knows how.
---SOUNDBITE--- (ARABIC W/ ENG VO)
“I chose the brush, because the brush shows the art from god and what god wants on earth.
That’s why I don’t like to choose weapons because it harms people, I don’t like to see anybody in harms way, I like to see people dancing, being happy, singing, people get married. Only happiness and love in our country.”
---VOICEOVER---
Who knows how long these paintings and drawings will last for, but in the mean time, these people are bringing a new colour and vibrancy to a city and a country, that for years has been creatively oppressed.
---SIGN OFF---

This is the NATO Channel, reporting from Tripoli.
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