|
The Tree of Life
"Seth's Journey to Otranto"
INTRODUCTION
Dating back to 1163, the imposing mosaic floor of the Cathedral of Otranto (Lecce
- Italy) depicts a huge Tree of Life staging a vision of divinity which, whilst
asserting its uniqueness, also illustrates its interpretation of reality through
a multiplicity of different creatures, cultures and religions. Calling us to understanding
and compassion from beyond centuries, the Tree of Life is surprisingly pluralist
and Universalist at a time remembered for the Crusades and Holy Wars. Focusing on
this all-embracing approach, documentary film director Michele Fasano aims to draw
parallels in our day with the Tree of Life "Seth's Journey to Otranto" activity,
challenging commonplace beliefs, stereotypes and prejudices concerning historical,
political and cultural relations between East and West from a perspective of reciprocity.
The activity involves a documentary film, a related book and workshops aimed at
giving visibility to the common root of Mediterranean cultures through cultural
productions and encouraging dialogue. The director has carried out research activities
related to the Tree of Life studies in Italy, Albania, Greece, Turkey, Syria, Israel,
Hungary and Slovakia.
THE DOCUMENTARY FILM
The documentary valorizes the sapiential contents of the mosaic floor of the Cathedral
of Otranto, contrasting the universality of the mosaic with a confusing modern-day
world that lacks compassion as seen through the eyes of ordinary people from different
religions. The documentary film is the starting point for discussions and participating
students are encouraged to take a broader perspective on the common foundations
of Euro-Mediterranean cultures while learning a different approach to documentary
film-making.
THE BOOK
The book, taking a deeper look at the mosaic, also offers all the elucidations and
philological research required for understanding this masterpiece as well as the
mature expression of the Basilian community originating from Cappadocia in the southern
Italian region of Salento who created the mosaic. The mosaic depicts a universal
vision of reality in which all forms of spirituality is embraced as a part of the
common metamorphic movement of Being; the existential metamorphic movement includes
ancient Greek, Persian, Afghani, Pakistani and Indian reflections, besides Christian,
Jewish and Islamic mysticism.
WORKSHOPS
The series of workshops conducted by Michele Fasano related to the Tree of Life were
held in Istanbul and Ankara using the documentary film as a novel reference point
to look at ethical implications, the European and international documentary film
market and video treatment among other topics. International Maia workshops were
also held in Fara Sabina-Italy, Budapest-Hungary and Bratislava-Slovakia where the
focus was on the creative aspects, legal and business issues, as well as the marketing,
developing and distributing content. All the participants of these workshops had
the opportunity to learn about documentary film-making in all its aspects, while
reviewing their own set of values by interacting and working with youth and professionals
involved in cinema from other countries.
|
