screening SǒN & live soundtrack

Micha Volders and Mutropia present SǒN, a short film that blends documentary and fiction. SǒN follows a former Muay Thai fighter who is grappling with personal boundaries, family pressure and his place in society. The film was directed by Micha Volders and developed in close collaboration with main character Wachara Kanha, based on a shared mindset and intuitive approach. Through improvisation and a strong focus on sound and music, SǒN reflects the physical and mental reality of the fighter and those around him. As an independent production, SǒN took shape through intimate collaborations and a desire to explore the possibilities of audiovisual storytelling. The film is currently doing the rounds on the international festival circuit. It won Best International Short at the Itaewon Film Festival (Seoul), Best Narrative Short at SEAiff (Manila), Best International Short at Nitiin IFF (Malaysia) and Best Original Score at the Wallachia IFF (Bucharest). Following its official premiere at the Ostend Film Festival, SǒN was also selected for the national competition at the Brussels Short Film Festival, Venezia Shorts, the 33rd IFF Beijing, Tokyo Lift-Off and many others. Synopsis The meandering portrait of an ex-con, living in the shadow of his father and the echoes of a lost Muay Thai career. As he tries to rebuild his life in a changing world, he is drawn back into the ring in search of redemption. About the director Micha Volders is a Belgian musician, filmmaker and producer active in the underground scene. He holds a master’s degree in animated film from the RITCS in Brussels. As founder of the label and platform Mutropia, he puts out eclectic music under his own name and with projects like ICCH? (with Miet Warlop), Vermin Twins and Meteor Musik. He also works with artists from the worlds of theatre and the visual arts on a regular basis. His debut short film SǒN unites all these elements in a physical, sensory experience. About the music & live performance The SǒN soundtrack combines edgy orchestral textures, sharp and transgressive percussion with minimalist patterns and soundscapes. The music blends electronic and acoustic elements into a rich sonic landscape that amplifies the emotional world of the film. The soundtrack was released as a limited edition 2LP via Mutropia. In addition, live, this world of sound is brought to life by the trio of Tsubasa Hori, Andrew Claes and Volders himself. Japanese percussionist Tsubasa Hori, a former member of the legendary drum ensemble Kodo, plays a wide range of instruments and moves between raw physical intensity and extreme sonic precision. Andrew Claes is known for his intergalactic saxophone work with STUFF. and many other projects. He combines acoustic saxophones and flutes with hybrid electronic woodwinds. Volders provides the sonic foundations upon which the original soundtrack was built, combining electronica with electro-acoustic instruments. The performance will be accompanied by visuals from the SǒN archives. Presented as a series of tableaux vivants , these images expand the visual language of the film and extend its narrative universe beyond the screen. SǒN Trio Tsubasa Hori: Percussion, Koto, VocalsAndrew Claes: Saxophones, Flutes, Electronica Micha Volders: Electronica, Electro-acoustic instruments