From a Palm Tree to the Stars

Leila Albayaty

Lars Petter Hagen

Leila Albayaty presents From a Palm Tree to the Stars as a multimedia performance. Against a backdrop of scenes from her film projected on the big screen, she will play live in the auditorium along with Kouzy Larsen (oud) and Hassan Alhanafy (electronic, ney flute).

Film still, From a Palm Tree to the Stars (Credit: Leila Albayaty)

ˮI raise the question of origins. This brings me towards the music of the Arab world, after having refused to do so. This music is so close and yet so distant, but also essential for me. It is a legacy that my father, an Iraqi exiled in France, did not hand down to me.”

Film still, From a Palm Tree to the Stars (Credit: Leila Albayaty)

In From a Palm Tree to the Stars, Leila Albayaty is developing a multi-faceted story of migration and its influence on cultural identity, while at the same time portraying her own journey between Arab and Western culture. Both the film and concert combine Leila Albayaty’s style between pop, lo-fi and electro with the traditional Arab musical mode bayātī, which employs quarter tones and is widespread in oriental music. Leila Albayaty is a French musician, actress and filmmaker. She lives in Berlin and Brussels. She works on this project with the artist Zoé Nutchey.

Leila Albayaty and Kouzy Larsen performing at the Forecast Festival (Photo: Marcus Lieberenz)

From A Palm Tree to the Stars is funded by Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg and supported by the Goethe Institute Cairo.

Watch Leila Albayaty’s short film VU and listen to her music.