Nothing but a test (2024)
03:51 min.
“If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.”
To some, dying is considered the beginning of a new life. We should not fear death, as it is our promised future. Despite this being a promised part of life, death remains the most incomprehensible promise. “Nothing but a test” is part of an audiovisual installation that portrays the consequences of current cliches and accepted narratives of the Muslim woman.
The protagonist in the film encounters several moments wherein she feels an (in)visible presence, which hints the embodiment of how the external world might view the protagonist. Her behaviour becomes the death of the protagonist - which turns out to be her relief.
The installation inhabits references from my thesis “A deep dive into mold”, in which I unpack what happens to us when we die [in some’s realities being considered as the soul departing from the physical body]. It includes the study of the existence of a soul, brain-activities and consciousness during ‘near’ death experiences and religious explanations. The viewer is merged with the protagonist’s experience when her soul leaves her body. We scent the Al Hajar Al Aswad.
Link upon request.
Written and directed by Fatima Agoula
Starring Soodeh Lashkari
Produced by Fatima Agoula
DOP Mostafa Heravi
Light Ben Geraerts
Light assistant Kris van Melle
Styling Yorick Westerkamp
Make up Dani Fuerza
Make up assistant Roos Wiers
Set design Fatima Agoula
Edit Darina Mohammed
Sound Rocco Tozzi
Color grading Fatima Agoula
Glass sculpture Xiomara Virdó
Sculpture Alina Setjowikarto
Actor Soodeh Lashkari
Special thanks to
Florian Joahn
Christopher Tym
Omri Bigetz
Martin Grootenboer
Colette Grootenboer
Margarita Kosareva,
Siebe ten Dam,
Izzy Lee,
Karolina Wilting
and Yassmina en Hassnaoui
Gerrit Rietveld Academie
Amsterdam
2024
Mentioned by Rietveld Reviewed
Screenings:
Gerrit Rietveld Academie Graduation show, Amsterdam (2024)
De Uitkijk, Amsterdam (2024)