The Roma village of Tornanádaska is located in the north of Hungary. Northeast of this isolated village is the border of Slovakia. The village, the citizens and the children are constantly subject to a stigmatised and superficial representation. Poverty is exhibited but not explored - the media has no interest in creating change or understanding this place.
Massih Parseai says: “I would like to give film workshops at this school in small groups over two or three occasions for longer periods of time. I want to create a space where we discuss about art and the possibility of self-expression through it. During this time we will work with each pupil together on their own film. I want to thematise family and home and to encourage them to talk about their personal reality. I want to provide tools so that they have the possibility to portray themselves without an objectification from the outside.”
The goal of this research is an exchange. To get individual portraiture of what home means in their point of view. To be able to grasp a sense of childlike perception. He is interested in the freedom and unrestrictedness of children's perception and expression. In his opinion they observe most of the things for the first time and the world is strange to them. Their gaze falls on the complex universe created by adults who are so distant and indecisive, and thus they are challenged to build an explanation of the world to themselves.
"The process in Tornanádaskas, my time as an outsider, will be documented with camera. In addition, I will conduct interviews with the pupils. As a presentation of this research I would like to create an essay film, with the workshops, the films of the pupils, and my own impressions and observations,” he says.
Project lead: Massih Parseai
Contact: massihparsaei(a)gmail.com