How can art inspire hope during wartime?

“In a world that is torn by wars, fanaticism, and devastation, art is a mighty tool that helps us fight extremism,” so said Jimmy Keyrouz '16SOA, whose MFA thesis film Nocturne in Black, produced by Felecia Hunter '16SOA, received the Student Academy Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Nocturne in Black tells the story of Karim, a young musician living in a war-ravaged Middle Eastern country where music has been banned and Islamist militants have destroyed his piano. Karim befriends Ziad, a child prodigy, and goes on a quest to find his piano’s missing parts. Despite the risks, Karim stays determined to play his piano as an act of civil disobedience, sending a message of hope, freedom, and survival.

Keyrouz drew his inspiration from the real-life story of a young Syrian pianist who continued to play despite persecution, using his music to reach out to war victims. Learn more.