October – 2018
In Nassaba: Song of A Bird, Jimmy Grima follows his father with a camera to the fields on the Maltese rocky coasts, where until recently he went to catch migratory birds. In a one-hour performance Jimmy uses the video material, and documents the emotional world and the art of the Maltese bird catchers, some of whom have learned to imitate the melodies of the migratory birds.
Song of a Bird is a portrait of a disappearing practice that always gets negative light in the news because of its impact on the bird population, but of which we also get to see another dimension here. Bird-catching is also a way of being in nature and a game in which parent and child forge a generational bond.
OCT 2018, MALTA 60 min (in Maltese with English titles) by Jimmy Grima Advisor Joachim Robbrecht Writers Jimmy Grima, Michael Grima, Joachim Robbrecht Choir Michael Grima, Louis Camilleri Set Michael Grima, Jimmy Grima Conversation Partner Mark Anthony Falzon Production Manager Stephanie Bonnici Stage Manager & Set Construction Matthew Micallef Production Design tiny island studio Props and Set Dressing Aidan Corlett Translations/Transcriptions/ Sur titles Julia Camilleri Choir Rehearsal Director Martina Buhagiar Rehearsal Director (Netherlands) Ruth Borg, Ira Melkonyan Filming and Editing Jimmy Grima Post and Additional Editing Chris Goa Farrugia Sound Design and Mastering Mario Sammut Producers Teatru Malta, rubberbodies collective With Special Thanks to Prof. Mark Anthony Falzon, Dr Toni Sant, Vincent Sant, FKNK, Nicole Blackman, Franklin Grima, Eduard Said, Arts Council Malta - Research and Support Grant, Transient Light & Sound, Callus Garden Centre, Birkirkara Homing Union, La Vittoria Band Club Mellieħa, iċ-Ċirklu taż-Żgħażagħ Xagħra, is-Soċjetà Santa Marija u l-Banda Re Ġorġ V Mqabba, Senglea Homing Club, Verdala Palace and the Office of the President
Past Performances 12 Oct 2018 - Floriana MT, Scouts Headquarters 13 Oct 2018 - Mellieħa MT, La Vittoria Band Club 14 Oct 2018 - Xagħra Gozo MT, Cirklu taż-Żgħażagħ 16 Oct 2018 - Mqabba MT, Soċjetà Santa Marija u Banda Re Ġorġ V 17 Oct 2018 - Senglea MT, Senglea Homing Club Oct 18 2018 - Buskett MT, Palazzo Verdala