Kelly Askew Produces Documentary Film
Kelly Askew, associate faculty in DAAS and Anthropology, is one of the producers of POETRY IN MOTION, a feature-length documentary film exploring the music, poetry, history and personalities of an esteemed East African orchestra, Nadi Ikhwan Safaa . Performers of sung Swahili poetry called taarab, Nadi Ikwan Safaa (‘The True Brotherhood Club’) of Zanzibar, Tanzania celebrated its 100th anniversary in July 2005, making it one of the oldest orchestras in the world today. African orchestral music is largely unknown, falling outside popular perceptions of African music. Originating as a male social club, Nadi Ikwan Safaa has since grown to encompass male and female members from all sectors of Zanzibar’s diverse population. ‘Poetry in Motion’ offers a music and poetry-driven narrative of a musical group that has survived colonialism and violent revolution, yet always managed to celebrate life’s joys and challenges.