Black Kites
Black Kites is based upon the 1992 writings and drawings of artist Alma Hajric who lived and worked in Sarajevo during its darkest hours. Director Jo Andres a well-respected New York performance artist and choreographer presents an alternate take on Kustenca's Underground.
Utilising voiceover pieces of performance found footage and slides separated by darkness Andres effectively invokes the isolation and fear of war as well as the irrelevance of time when survival is the key issue. A low key narration discussing the washing of dishes with dirt in order to conserve water the burning of unused theatre seats to provide warmth and the rain which supplies three days supply of water attests to the precanousness of life. An atmospheric and profound work Black Kites features Steve Buscemi (Andres husband) The tide Black Kites refers to a tradition where black silk kites are released into the sky when a loved one dies (LA)