A strong Tunisian presence at the " Arab film festival"(ex2)

 

      Tunisian Cinema Shines at the 35th Arab Film Festival in" Fameck region"(northeastern France) with its carefully selected tunisian films in this edition  which is running from 3 to 13 October 2024.

Total of 3 films have been selected, "TAKE MY BREATH "by Nada Al-Mazni Hafid, "KAWALIS" by Afaf Ben Mahmoud, and "dhrari lahmar"by Lotfi Ben Achour.  This festival serves as a vibrant platform for showcasing Arab cinema, reflecting the social issues and concerns of Arab societies through bold, critical, and sometimes tender narratives. Among the six films competing for the festival's Grand Prize, "Take my breath " (1 hour 36 minutes) stands out as a significant entry. It tells the story of Shams, a 23-year-old seamstress living on a remote island with her mother and disabled sister, who harbors a heavy secret that impacts her life. 

The film, which premiered on October 25, is a co-production between Tunisia and Morocco, supported by the Tunisian Ministry of Cultural Affairs.

  KAWALIS,(1 hour 30 minutes) is another collaborative effort between Tunisia and Morocco, co-directed and written by Afef Ben Mahmoud, it explores the vibrant yet chaotic life of a dance troupe on tour, highlighting the unseen tensions that shape their experiences.
Lotfi  Ben Achour's Dhrari lahmar competes for the Press Prize alongside five other films, presenting a poignant story that addresses issues of justice from a child's perspective.
The festival , a highlight of the cultural calendar in the Grand Est region, features over 110 screenings of films from various Arab countries. It also awards several prizes, including the Audience Award and the Documentary Prize. This year, the festival will celebrate Jordanian cinema, with special performances, including one by artist Magyd Cherfi, who will narrate his life stories through music.

In addition to the Tunisian films, the competition includes notable entries such as "Ce n’est rien" by Moroccan director Merzak Allouach, "Les Filles d’Abdul-Rahman" by Jordanian director Zaid Abu Hamdan, "The teacher " by Farah Nabulsi (a joint production between Palestine, Qatar, and the UK), and "Saleem" by Cynthia Madanat Sharaiha from Jordan.
As the festival approaches, it promises to be a significant event for both filmmakers and audiences, celebrating the diversity and richness of Arabic cinema.

Otay Rania