Mazen Kerbaj the Musical is Kerbaj's first movie. Commissioned by the Counterflows festival for their 2021 edition, it was shot and produced in complete isolation, during the first Covid-19 lockdown, and it addresses both literally and figuratively the impossibility for the performing musician to meet and play with other musicians or in front of an audience. 
The movie showcases Kerbaj's unique playing techniques and his radical approach to music. It is however far from the seriousness usually associated with contemporary music performances. Quite the contrary actually; the movie is playful and rather funny. But what appears as a comedy at first glance is tinged with a great deal of melancholy.

Written, performed and directed by Mazen Kerbaj

Cinematography and editing: Karam Ghoussein
Assistant: Evan Kerbage
Sound: Mazen Kerbaj
Titles design: Hatem Imam

Interview directed by Mazen Kerbaj
Making of directed by Evan Kerbage

Special thanks: Racha Gharbieh, Raed Yassin, Monira el Qadiri, Antoine Kerbage, Laure Ghorayeb, Hatem Imam and Michel Waisvisz

Produced by Counterflows festival 
with the support of Goethe institut and Creative Scotland

© Mazen Kerbaj 2021

The Lebanese experimental trumpet player and comic book artist Mazen Kerbaj invites us to share an imaginary day in the life of… through his excellent short film Mazen Kerbaj: The Musical. We watch him in the bath, deadpan through and absurd “Morning Prayer” ritual, have a fight and eventually come to a squeaking climax in “Masturbation”, then continue to play with air flows even in his sleep, as he breathes deeply.
[The Wire – Claire Sawers]

Progress was slow at first but the new sound of the Crackle Synth alongside his perfecting of trumpet sounds became the basis of the film Mazen Kerbaj: The Musical. Partially tongue in cheek, partially evocative of pandemic-borne self-isolation, the work follows a day in the life arc with irreprehensible wit and intimacy. “It’s the first time I really used storytelling with my music. I never thought it was possible, especially without words. I mean, it’s really just chapter titles and I manage to do something funny, which I do with my comics.” 
Each movement has a clear focus on specific musical gestures which were all purposefully filmed in one take. Although Kerbaj layers and overdubs several solo takes to form duos, trios and quintets with himself, each movement is underpinned by what you might call a live energy. 
This melding of humour, sound and intimacy connects with the audience through its embodiment of the simultaneously private and collective human experience of the pandemic. 
[The Wire – Mariam Rezaei]