Brooklyn, NY, United States
I give the short film Sehi as my peace offering. This project came to fruition during the early days of my quarantine in the mountains of upstate New York. There, I discovered a deeper understanding of the feeling of missing. More than this, I discovered the confusion lay within the dilemma of “being” in so many places, yet not “existing” in any of them. In English, I translate “Sehi” to mean “daydreaming.” This state of being physically present is contradicted by the mind’s ability to travel while remaining completely still. Inspired by the differences between New York City and Tunis, I was compelled into a dual universe, one also inhabited by musicians I met along my path. I am honored to have Aaron Stokes on Cello, and Ron Gardner on upright bass for this piece.
PEACE BUILDER BIOGRAPHY
As a singer, songwriter, and producer, Nour Harkati is a nomad of music. Although born and raised in Tunisia, he has spent the past few years performing in Paris, Berlin, and, more recently, New York City. Through his travels, Nour experiments with new textures, using music to discover the world surrounding him. He sings of existence in society, doubt and mistrust, continuous departures, the lust of love, and unequivocal joy. Within these themes, he delves deeper into his roots, becoming closer to himself.
DAILY PEACE ACTION
I want to invite viewers to donate to the organization ARTISTS STRIVING TO END POVERTY (ASTEP) – “in times of turbulence and trauma, the arts provide a space for healing, a platform for connectivity and an outlet to express ourselves. They’re also crucial to the development of mindfulness, an important element of mental health, especially in times of struggle.”