We explore the role of music in shaping cinematic storytelling, and how rhythm, sound, and silence make up an essential language across different film traditions. Our guests Suad Bushnaq, Ben Frost, and Gustavo Santaolalla reflect on their creative processes, the relationship between image and sound, and how they approach composing for diverse narratives and emotional landscapes. They also discuss collaboration with directors, cultural influences in their work, and the evolving role of film scores in contemporary cinema. 00:00 Introduction 02:47 Beyond a Single Label 10:11 Composing from the Page 11:54 When the Sounds Become Iconic 14:08 The Alchemy of Collaboration 19:16 Trusting the Vision 22:41 Finding Beauty in Inexperience 24:48 The Soul of Creation vs. The Machine 31:42 Narratives Beyond the Expected 38:00 The Weight of Choice 45:51 Carving Silence and Sound 50:56 The Geometry of Scoring 54:08 Immersive Worlds and Digital Agency 59:47 A Sonic Signature 01:00:40 From the Theater to the Screen 01:04:15 A Live Performance Ben Frost is a composer, sound artist and stage director born in Melbourne and based in Reykjavík. Over the past two decades, he has developed a practice encompassing studio recordings, performance, installation, and collaborations in dance, theatre, and film. Albums include ‘Theory of Machines’ (2007), ‘By the Throat’ (2009), ‘Aurora’ (2014) and ‘Scope Neglect’ (2024). Screen credits include ‘Sleeping Beauty’, ‘Palestine 36’, ‘Raised by Wolves’, ‘1899’ and ‘Dark’. A Rolex Arts Initiative protégé of Brian Eno (2011), he collaborated with Richard Mosse on ‘The Enclave’, ‘Incoming’ and ‘Broken Spectre’, and wrote the operas ‘The Wasp Factory’ and ‘The Murder of Halit Yozgat’. Connect with Ben Frost 👉 https://instagram.com/ethermachines Gustavo Santaolalla is an internationally acclaimed Argentine composer, producer, and musician. A two-time Academy Award winner for ‘Brokeback Mountain’ (2006) and ‘Babel’ (2007), he has also received a Golden Globe, two BAFTAs, two Grammys, and 19 Latin Grammys. As one of the most influential producers in the Spanish-speaking world, he has shaped Latin American music through over 100 albums. He founded Bajofondo, a collective blending tango, electronic, and Río de la Plata traditions. In audiovisual culture, he’s known for scoring ‘The Last of Us’ video games and HBO series. Currently, he is touring globally with the Ronroco Tour, celebrating 25 years of his iconic album ‘Ronroco’, which launched his cinematic music career. Connect with Gustavo Santaolalla 👉 https://instagram.com/gustavosantaolalla Suad Bushnaq is an internationally acclaimed, multi-award-winning Jordanian–Canadian composer of Bosnian, Palestinian and Syrian roots, praised by Hans Zimmer as an ‘incredible artist’. With 12 wins and 15 nominations, honours include two Hollywood Music in Media Awards, four Canadian Screen Award nominations and two Canadian Screen Music Awards. Recent highlights include the BAFTA/Emmy-winning ‘Secret World of Sound with David Attenborough’ (CASMA winner; HMMA nominee), Yunan (Berlinale), Hobal and the Syrian series ‘Al Batal’ (CASMA winner). She also scored Egypt’s Oscar submission ‘Flight 404’ and Iraq’s ‘Hanging Gardens’. A McGill graduate and CFC/Cannes alumna, she has 60+ credits and teaches worldwide. Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gb FOLLOW & RATE THE AFIKRA PODCAST: » Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/doha-film-institute-podcast-powered-by-afikra/id1893085312 » Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5R1nXmlFpCH4dqegNf2U0E THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK Explore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl6boT4njw9GEJNzC3f0bbDQ ABOUT AFIKRA afikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity. 📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters 🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts ⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership 🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_ 🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official 🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
