Berlin / Stockholm based writer and director – Michael S. Bekele
Flower
Flower Studio is a desk, floating between Berlin and Stockholm, occupied by Michael S. Bekele. For the past 6 years the desk has gladly rendered direction and writing services, while at the same time maintaining a loose and open artistic practice.
Michael S. Bekele is entangled with a language based practice centred around the somatic and subconscious. The ambition is to explore and empathise with the human condition, while creating life affirming and healing narratives. Since the studio's establishment in 2017 there has been a continuous effort to develop and adapt to ever changing external and internal landscapes, which has led to an eclectic mix of different projects.
Some notable and recent projects include: 1) The audio drama Härifrån released on Storytel in 2022, which was directed and produced by Michael S. Bekele and co-created and written with Jason Diakité. Härifrån was awarded with the Golden Ear by the Swedish Radio Academy for best entertainment podcast in 2023. 2) The short film Black Square written and directed by the aforementioned and produced by Gambio Film and Film I Väst with support from the Swedish Film Institute. The short film premieres at the Uppsala Short Film Festival in 2024. 3) The Masked I, acquired into the collection of Röhsska Museet in Gothenburg in 2024, consisting of a sculpture and performance lecture, filmed by Senay Berhe.
The studio thrives most under collaborations of all sorts. If you are a past or current comrade, then many thanks. If you are a future one, then welcome! Furthermore, Michael is engaged as the chairperson for Black Archives Sweden in Malmö and the co-founder of the artist run community space Munnen in Stockholm, where he runs the local station Tungan.
Hello my friend, how have you been? It's a new year and with that come new promises. I promise to stick around, do good work, care about things that I care about. The usual stuff, you know.
The new year will consist of a big shift for me, I think. For the last year or two I have been developing material and experimenting with it. Now I feel ready and prepared to bring my ideas and skills out of my chamber and to others. More hands on work!
Hm, otherwise? My most recent short film had its premiere at the Uppsala Short Film Festival. And my audio drama was awarded with the Golden Ear for best entertainment podcast by the Swedish Radio Academy. It does feel gratifying to get one's work recognised.
I am now officially a script writer, having recently completed 18 months of studies at the Alma Script Academy. It's been a fantastic ride which has given me the opportunity to develop some projects. I have two feature films and a TV show under my belt. Giddy up!
A museum in Gothenburg, Röhsska, acquired two of my artworks. It's a sculpture, a mask, fittingly titled "The Masked I" and a video work of an accompanying performance. Both works are shown in the museum's permanent exhibition. In case you ever find yourself in Gothenburg?
Oh, you gotta go? Good luck with your therapy and taxes. Yes, talk soon! Say hi to my future self, won't you?
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