Wael Shawky’s sweeping operatic film exhibition Drama 1882 will make its Australian premiere at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) Australia, bringing one of the most talked-about works from the 2024 Venice Biennale to Sydney audiences.
Originally presented at the Egyptian Pavilion of the Venice Biennale, Drama 1882 drew international acclaim for its ambition, scale and emotional power. Now at the MCA from March 5 to June 29, this 45-minute film installation unfolds across eight meticulously crafted scenes, sung entirely in classical Arabic and brought to life by more than 150 Egyptian performers.
Directed, choreographed and composed by Shawky (b. 1971, Egypt), the work was filmed inside a historic theatre in Alexandria, adding further depth and authenticity to its cinematic grandeur.
Ever heard about the Urabi Revolution? This populist uprising against British imperialism took place 1879-1882 in Egypt – and Drama 1882 revisits this historic period. It begins with a seemingly small altercation in a café between a donkey owner and a Maltese man; this incident spirals into a chain of events culminating in more than 70 years of British colonial rule.
Blending historical fact with speculation and fiction, Shawky reimagines this pivotal moment through music, choreography and lavish theatrical staging, inviting audiences to question how history is told – and by whom.
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