Far From the Nile
a film by Sherief Elkatsha
The Nile Project is cross-cultural initiative bringing together musicians from the Nile countries to perform along the river and around the world.
A group of musicians from countries along the Nile River are banded together to collaborate across culture, language, and musical tradition to raise awareness about Africa’s growing water issue: This is Egyptian-American filmmaker Sherief Elkatsha’s new documentary, Far From the Nile.
The iconic Nile River has captured the imagination of people since the beginning of time. Eleven countries in Africa share this “thin blue vein of geographical fate,” and their 450 million inhabitants are projected to double in the next 25 years, increasing the pressure on an already fragile ecosystem.
Elkatsha follows 12 African musicians from seven countries along the Nile River as they band together in an international coalition to highlight the water conflict along the river they share. As they leave their homes in Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Sudan, Kenya, Burundi, and Uganda and embark on a 100-day tour of America’s heartland, the film captures the challenges of collaboration across cultural lines. Despite their vast cultural differences, musical styles and competing egos, the artists must find ways to create and remain united in their cause.
Far From the Nile produced in association with:
the american vicarious is a not-for-profit generator of creative content across disciplinary boundaries that aspires to reflect on America’s ideals and realities, and that which unites and divides its people.
*** More photos can be seen at “United States of Africa” by Laila Yasser.