SHORT BIO


Yaser Kassab is a filmmaker and producer, known for his award-winning documentary film trilogy that spans over a decade, which offers a personal and poetic perspective on the Syrian tragedy.


He is a graduate of Gothenburg University, where he earned a Master's degree in film, with a focus on exploring decolonial approaches to counter image-making in cinema. His inquiry-led project aimed to produce images that challenge the predominant representation of people of colour in Swedish media.


EDUCATION


Master of Fine Arts in Film,University of Gothenburg, 2022

Forsa Folkhögskola/ Photography project, 2020

Gamleby Folkhögskola/ Fotografiska processor, 2019

Mullsjö Folkhogskola/ Photography, 2019

Bachelor of Economics, Aleppo university, 2011


WORKSHOPS


Scottish Documentary Institute, Connecting Stories, International mentorship scheme/ 2021

For Developing "Chasing The Dazzling Light" 

Mentor: Saeed Taji Farouki.


DW academy, Video journalism/ 2015

Intensive courses for becoming a video journalist for children TV programme Jalla Nehna. 

Trainers: Nasir Al-jezairi, Ute Mattigkeit, Samah Altaweel.


Bidayyat for audiovisual arts, Developing feature documentaries/ 2014

Three long course for developing "On the edge of life"

Trainers: Ali Essafi, Mohamad Soueid, Ghassan Salhab, Rania Stephan.


Bidayyat for audiovisual arts,, Film proposal writing/ 2014

Film proposal writing and film distribution

Trainer: Jinane Dagher. 

NEWS

DOKUMENTÄRFOTOSALONG 2020: KAOS at Norrköping arbetarmuseum

Photography exhebition at Oslo City Campaign, Berlin City Campaign


FAMILY FILM FESTIVAL
ON THE EDGE OF LIFE – Prix du jury


de Yasser Kassab (Syrie, 2017, documentaire, 44 minutes)


Rima and Yasser fled Syria. They are in Beirut, then somewhere in Turkey, as prisoners of an indefinite no man’s land. Yaser Kassab films his companion Rima, the soulless decor where they found refuge, the moon, the pupil full in an eye of black clouds. And everywhere resonate the words of loved ones left in Syria, the guilt of not being there to survive or die with them.

https://www.espace-1789.com/film/festival-du-film-de-famille-le-palmar%C3%A8s-0 

"On the edge of life" as a Best documentary and Best mid-length documentary at Tirana Film Festival

Jury's motivation:

"A heart-rending personal essay on grief and uprooting, on the limbo states of existence"

"On the edge of life" best -mid-length documentary at  Festival dei Popoli 

 jury's motivation:

 "Both lyrical and personal, this film relates an urgent and all-too-common experience today employing a unique cinematic language which creates an important space for contemplation. A story of survival in a contemporary moment of uncertainty, the film gathers textures and images which attest to displacement and struggle but also their representation. Generous, open, subtle and filled with unsuspecting poetry, this film demonstrates how art, cinema and human connection are integral to existence in dire circumstances."

European Foundation Joris Ivens  jury's motivation for the award as a best first film in the 39th edition of cinema du reel film festival.

Yaser Kassab transcend the process of mourning, developing a particular cinematic treatment of space, both internal and external.

I have seen nothing, I have seen all

لم أر شيئاً، رأيت كل شيئ



Duration: 19 min documentary

Production country: Syria, Lebanon, Sweden 2019

Written & Directed by: Yaser Kassab

Producer: Mohamad Ali Atassi & Yaser Kassab 

Production company: Bidayyat for Audiovisual arts & Zenloop productions

Film editor: Rima Alhamedd

Sound Mix: Bertrand Larrieu


Synopsis:


After talking about the end of the war in Syria and the start of the reconstruction phase, thousands of kilometers separate Yaser in Sweden from his parents in Aleppo. When both find themselves compelled to transfer the grave of the younger brother from the public park.


Screenings:


Awards:


Reviews:

- In Arabic

"لم أرَ شيئاً، رأيتُ كلّ شيء": حين تصبح المقابر السورية "كومبليه" ندى الأزهري

- Lost outside time/ Francesca Borri


Available to watch in UK, USA, Click here

France, Tenk, Click here



On The Edge Of Life

على حافة الحياة



Duration: 45 MIn documentary

Production country: Syria, 2017

Directed by:Yaser Kassab & 

Rima Alhamedd

Production company: Zenloop productions

Sound Mix: Bertrand Larrieu


Synopsis:


Yaser transcendent from a remote and an empty rest stop in Turkey the process of mourning after losing his younger brother in Aleppo, a relationship with his father has been evolved to a strong emotional connection, although the noisy voice calls and messages


Screenings:


Awards:



Reviews:

-سوريا.. على حافة الحياة ٩ أبريل ٢٠١٧ محمد موسى


-تنويعات وثائقيات سورية في السرد والجمالية 30/07/2018 علاء رشيدي