October 17–19, 2025 | Arter, Sevgi Gönül Auditorium
In October, Arter invites audiences on a new perceptual journey into the world of sound. The Privilege for Sound Film Program, taking place from October 17–19 at the Sevgi Gönül Auditorium, brings together five international films. Curated by Karen Cirillo, the program invites exploration of auditory experiences that transcend visual storytelling.
Cirillo, a curator and cultural communication specialist known for her work in documentary cinema and media anthropology, has crafted a program that underscores sound’s role not merely as a supporting element but as a narrative force in its own right. As ethnomusicologist Steven Feld puts it: “The sonic is the transformed resonance of emotional depth.” This program chases that resonance.
The five-film selection spans a wide spectrum, from sirens to voice messages, cinematic sound effects to childhood cassette tapes, and the soundscapes of forests and drones. Privilege for Sound creates an experience focused not just on hearing but on the act of listening itself.
Program Schedule:
🔸October 17 – The opening film, 32 Sounds (Sam Green), is an experimental documentary probing the fundamental reality of sound.
🔸October 18 – Diary of a Sky (Lawrence Abu Hamdan) examines the rising noise pollution in Beirut’s skies during the pandemic. On the same day, Nocturnes (Anupama Srinivasan & Anirban Dutta) captivates with the story of two biologists listening to the nocturnal ecosystem of moths along the India-Bhutan border.
🔸October 19 – The final day features Preemptive Listening (Aura Satz) and Intercepted (Oksana Karpovych), delving into the political, emotional, and ethical dimensions of sound.
Each film, in its own way, explores the practice of “hearing through seeing,” reminding us that it’s possible to understand the world beyond the visual through our ears.
