2-channel projection and installation
2018
In form of a poetic science-fiction narrative, the film presents events on a fictitious island, famous for its fish soup ‘Aljotta’: Recently, when the island’s inhabitants eat their ‘Aljotta’, they start having hallucinations and become witnesses of a surreal process of memory transfer. Scientists explain this phenomenon in a biochemical way: they discover the “HFH-effect” (Human-Fish-Human-effect). Fragments of other human’s memories infiltrate the gestures, actions and expressions of the inhabitants. Ariel, the spirit of water and air, observes everything.
The script is based on excerpts of Shakespeare’s The Tempest, on a recipe for ‘Aljotta’, on Dr. James V. McConnell’s theory of memory transfer, and on long-term observations of Maltese society. The video-installation is an artistic reflection about the impact of passing strangers onto the collective memory of an island.
Written and Directed by Bettina Hutschek. Produced by Bettina Hutschek, Arts Council Malta and Valletta 2018 Foundation
ALJOTTA (Excerpt, 5 min.)
CREDITS
ALJOTTA
a film by bettina hutschek
written & directed by
bettina hutschek
produced by
bettina Hutschek
Malta Arts Fund
camera
bettina hutschek
edit
bettina hutschek
The project was supported by Malta Art Fund
Production was made possible through the generous support of the V18 Foundation
CAST:
the man
chris galea
scientist #1
ira melkonyan
scientist #2
jes camilleri
the cook
alex mattei
ariel, the golden spirit
miriam galea
teacher
roderick vassallo
students
nikolai azzopardi, neil zerafa,
jayden leenhouts baldacchino,
miguel samuel
narrator
lisa micallef grimaud
filmed in malta
music composer
oliver degabriele
sound edit
bettina Hutschek
sound mixing
gustaf karl cauchi
color correction
martin bonnici
bettina wishes to thank:
Alba Cauchi, Ali Konate, Abdi, Jonas, Fabrizio Ellul, Ahmed Somali, Neil Falzon
Alex Mattei, Chris Galea, Miriam Galea, Ira Melkonyan, Roderick Vassallo, Oliver Degabriele, Aisha Zia, Caroline Hellsgard, Mario Asef, Malta Arts Council, Maren Richter, Gustaf Karl Cauchi, Martin Bonnici, Raymond for the cooking, Edward Duca, Angelique Muller, Tom Van Malderen, Michael Bock, Helga and Christoph Hutschek, Charlie Cauchi
Installation View "Bahar Madwarna" Valletta 2018
Installation View "Bahar Madwarna" Valletta 2018
Installation View "Bahar Madwarna" Valletta 2018
