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Asmara, Eritrea

Caterina Borelli

Asmara, Eritrea

About

Asmara - capitol of the East African nation of Eritrea - is recognized as an architectural gem. In this film Asmarinos from different walks of life guide us through the streets of their city and bring us to places of their choice. In doing so, and by talking about 'their own' Asmara, each person locates personal memories in public spaces investing the urban environment with individual meanings. Through their narrations - a chorus of different experiences embodying the nation - the country's history from colonialism to independence comes to life.


Reviews

"Asmara should serve as a model in documenting African cities. Through interviews with local residents, the filmmaker is able to imbue the built environment with life, to evoke the feel of the street and the interrelationship of neighborhoods. 
In particular, the film excels at unpacking a particularly complex 20th century history, which awakens viewers to complex geopolitical forces sparring over the horn of Africa even as it traces the development of a gracious and liveable city." — Z. S. Strother, Riggio Professor of African Art, Columbia University, author of Inventing Masks: Agency and History in the Art of the Central Pende

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Credits

Asmara Eritrea 


Written and Produced by

Caterina Borelli


Directed by

Caterina Borelli


Photography by

Caterina Borelli


Interviews by

Mia Fuller


Edited by

Aline Herve’


Soundtrack Design by

Silvia Moraes


Re-recording Mixer

Paolo Segat


Graphics by 

Paolo Turla


Archival Material Research

Caterina Borelli


Production Assistant on Location 

Nora Guicheney


Translations from Tigrinya

Domoz (Asmara) 

Birikit (Rome)


English Text Editing and Translations

Martha Witt


With

Samuel Adem, student

Tekie Adimecom –Tedlla, NGO employee

Robiel Araya, student

Afwerki Arefaine, artist

Socrates Bourboulis, Honorary Consul of Greece

David Cohen, trader

Samy Cohen, accountant

Ermias Ekube, artist

Luisa Furioni Agosti, hairstylist and beautician

Iolanda Gagliazzi, cashier

Father Ghebreigziabihier Negusse

Elsa Gebreyesus, store employee

Lettechidan Ghereschier store owner

Josief Ghetaciew, student

Primo Giovanni, entrepreneur

Kidane Habte, nurse

Simon Haile’, grocery store employee

Fitwi Hailu, security guard and his wife Zemi Gebremikael

Kiriakakos Leonida, retired state employee

Edoardo Matteoda, student

Paola Matteoda, retired professor

Giovanni Mazzola, tailor/gardener/athlete

Rita Mazzocchi, NGO worker

Berhane Mesfin, coffee shop owner

Petros Michael, student

Omer Mohamed, tailor

Said Mohammed Hassan, trader at Caravanserai

Ashrin Kumar Ottamchand Aulani, trader

Frewin Sengal, maid/weaver

Simret Group - Misghana Gilazgi weavers

Tzeggai Teamrat, engineer

Techie Tesfai, bar owner

Tsehaie Tsegai store owner

Tshaytu, Izgaria and Sofia, home makers

Gabriel Tzeggai, architect

Sennait Tzeggai Mogos, student

Aida Tzeggai Mogos, student

Carla Vagli Biasiolo, homemaker

Vittorio Volpicella, director, Casa d’Italia

Ysehak Yosief, retired Municipal employee

Tebbe Wendm, maid/photographer


Songs

Aron “Asmara shkor, Asmara bella”

Alamin Abdelettif “Seb nkabdu aykonen zinebr”

Wedi Zagher “Merhawi”

Trio Lescano “Arriva Tazio” by Mengoli – Trotto, editions Recording Arts SA

A. Galluzzi “Valzer di Frou, Frou” by L. Bard, editions Suvini Zerboni SPA








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