Traces of the Soul
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Running Time 01:26:00
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Genre Documentary
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Language English - Japanese - Chinese
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Completed January 14, 2018, United Kingdom
Traces Of The Soul is a powerful documentary exploring the meaning of calligraphy through the eyes of 11 contemporary artists from diverse cultures. From ink on paper to street art and sculpture, the film reveals the personal philosophies and creative passion keeping this timeless art alive in the digital age.
In an age where communication has become synonymous with digital messaging and e-mail, the functional now prevails over the personal. Speed too often denies considered thought. Writing has lost its soul. Spanning a variety of cultures, the documentary shows the extraordinary skill of the calligraphic artists, and also reveals the personal philosophies underlying their remarkable work. With artists ranging from 21 to 80 years of age and working in a diversity of mediums, from ink on paper, to graffiti, sculptural forms, and huge commissioned works on public buildings,
‘Traces Of The Soul’ captures the vibrant energy of calligraphy today.
Awards
MOST BEAUTIFUL DOCUMENTARY – Master of Art Film Festival – 2019
BEST DOCUMENTARY IN CONTEMPORARY ART – Master of Art Film Festival – 2019
1st Award Winner– Fine Art Filmcategory Alexandre Trauner ART Film Festival-2018
FIRST FEATURE AWARD – Washington DC International Film Festival – 2019
BEST INDIE FEATURE FILM – Kick the Rules – 2024
BEST EDUCATIONAL FILM – 2 11 17 International Film Festival – 2023
BEST DIRECTOR – 2 11 17 International Film Festival – 2023
SEMI-FINALIST – SYDNEY INDIE 2018 Semi-Finalist
OFFICIAL SELECTION – 35 Girona Film Festival – 2023
About the director:
Having initially trained at the BBC, Martin Cooper has had over 30 years experience as a documentary editor within the British television industry. He worked on numerous films & TV series several of which won BAFTA nominations and RTS awards.
In 2002 he won a Royal Television Society Award for Best Documentary Editor. Martin was subsequently invited to be a judge for the prestigious Grierson Documentary Awards in London.
In 2018 Martin directed his first feature documentary: Traces of The Soul. This was an exploration of contemporary calligraphy across the globe. This film won First Prize both the Alexandre Trauner ART/Film Festival (2019) and Best Contemporary Art Film & Most Beautiful Film at the Master of Art Film Festival in Bulgaria. It also won Best First Feature award at Washington DC International Film Festival. History, Mystery & Odyssey is Martin’s second film as a director.
CAST AND CREW
Writer and director Martin Cooper
Producers
Martin Cooper
Adrian Storey
Ku Sharma
Tamanaka
Director of Photography
Adrian Storey
Actors
Tara Abtahi
Dorsa Katal
Neda Golrangi
Sara Mokhavat
Nadia Noroozzedeh
Edited by Martin Cooper
Assistant Editor Adrian Storey
Featuring:
eL Seed (France/Tunisia)
Zhao Yizhou (China)
Paul Antonio (UK)
Koji Kakinuma (Japan)
Nakajima Hiroyuki (Japan)
Jake Weidmann (USA)
Shoho Teramoto (Japan)
Ghalamdar (Iran)
Dia Batal (Lebanon)
Soraya Syed (UK/Pakistan)
Shinzan Miyamae (Japan)
Karl O Brien (UK)
Distribute by Zigguart Multimedia
Enjoy and Watch this Short film on Prime video USA, UK, and Zigguart TV worldwide
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