A new film entitled Ibiza Occident which documents the history of the White Isle - from the Franco regime to the present day - is set for release.
Directed by Austrian documentary and film-maker Günter Schwaiger, Ibiza Occident takes its name from the Latin ‘place of the setting sun’, and covers the most dynamic period in the island’s history, including its transformation into the ‘party island’ it is commonly seen as today. However, Scwaiger was keen to illustrate that Ibiza is more than just a hedonist’s paradise.
"The idea of making this film arose from my interest in worlds of which we all have a preconceived, clichéd idea” he says of the film. “For many, Ibiza represents nothing but a place of perdition, frivolity and drugs, doubting that there may be something with values beyond money and hedonistic pleasure in a place given over to offering recreation. Few stop to think that this small Mediterranean island is for example the world capital of electronic music and one of the most musically creative centres in Europe."
The film is made up of ‘nine-and-a-half’ short-stories, with each presenting a different side to Ibiza’s multi-faceted image and history.
"Each story presents part of the whole, whether of the island or of our world” explains Schwaiger. "It never claims to be able to tell all, but is rather a voyage with stops, almost a collection of short tales. The island is the protagonist, music however its inspiration, because in Ibiza music is the cardinal point where all lines meet."
The film had its first public European showing at Space Ibiza last week, with a general release coming later in the year. For more info head to www.ibizadoc.com
