So I pray: Surrendering through filmmaking

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Volume Title

School of Arts, Design and Architecture | Master's thesis
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Date

2024

Department

Major/Subject

Mcode

Degree programme

Master's Programme in Re:Anima – European Joint Master in Animation

Language

en

Pages

45

Series

Abstract

"So I Pray" is an animated film about a girl's spiritual journey dealing with the 2012 doomsday prophecy. This project starts with my reflection on being a Muslim in the Western world. Living in a rather secular society, I found it difficult to perform my spiritual obligation, the five daily prayers. I had never traveled outside Indonesia before pursuing this master’s degree, and now I need to somehow explain or inform that I have to practice my beliefs which I never had to before; such as asking for a prayer room or extra time for a break. This new situation makes me question myself: why do I keep holding on to this so-called “traditional” way of living? And how do I explain this obligation to people that are not used to this concept? This thesis report is arranged based on the chronological artistic process of the film. It is based on writings & reports that I collected over four semesters at three different schools where each school gave me new inspiration. Apart from being the progress record and the theoretical standpoint of this project, this written thesis serves as a guide for me personally, a way to straighten out my views and make sense of what is inside my own self, a reflection. I used to see this act of worship as just something normal, but I know now that it’s very special. This film is very important to me as a representation of not only Muslim culture but also many other beliefs that hold on firmly to their spirituality. As I noticed that spirituality is almost forgotten in this modern era, It’s important to show that spiritualism is not an expired and delusional practice; it has a purpose.

Description

Supervisor

Van Goethem, Geert

Thesis advisor

Woolf, Natalie

Keywords

surrender, animation, prayer, filmmaking, muslim, spirituality, Islam

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