Last night, at the Cairo International Film Festival, Walid Mattar presented his new feature film in preview, “Le Pont”, in competition in the Horizons section of Arab cinema. This 45ᵉ edition, which takes place from November 13 to 22, 2024, welcomed a projection marked by lively applause and a great emotion. Accompanied by a few members of his team, the director unveiled a poignant work which plunges into the heart of social fractures and broken dreams of Tunisian youth.
A story between aspirations and disillusions
The bridge Tell the story of three ordinary young Tunisians, inhabited by dreams of success and a desire to get out of it. Foued, a young photographer director, who dreams of launching his career, agrees to help his friend Tita shoot a hip-hop clip, staging Safa, a business student who also works as influencer and accomplished various odd jobs to make ends meet. Safa sells accessories and, that evening, dances for the needs of the video. Tita, for her part, is a repairer of phones who dreams of piercing in rap.
These young people, far from the clichés of delinquency, appear to be deeply innocent and sincere in their aspirations. They are not marginalized, but workers, with dreams of wealth and success, similar to so many other young people around the world. It is these features that create a deep empathy in the spectator. Their humanity, even their naivety, makes their choices understandable, even when their decisions push them on a slippery slope.
The turning point in history occurs when the trio discovers a huge packet of cocaine. This unexpected event becomes the opportunity to change their lives for them. They do not see drugs as an end in itself, but as a quick way to realize their dreams. Every night, they therefore cross the Radès bridge to sell their drugs in the upscale nightclubs, a passage between their modest reality in the southern suburbs and the luxury promises of the north suburbs. However, this frantic quest for success soon confronts them with moral dilemmas and unforeseen consequences.
Endearing and authentic characters
One of the most striking aspects of the film lies in the richness and complexity of the characters. Sarra Hanachi, who plays Safa, worked in close collaboration with Walid Mattar to give life to a young woman both ambitious and vulnerable. “” Safa is a student who works hard to reach both ends ”, explains the actress. “She does everything she can to move forward, whether by selling accessories or dancing in a clip. She is a young woman like many others, full of hope despite the obstacles. »»
For Mohamed Amine Hamzaoui, who performs Foued, the challenge was to capture the innocence and dreams of his character. “” Foued is a passionate photographer, who is looking for a chance to show his talent “Explains the actor. “” What is touching is that he deeply believes in his work, even if the opportunities are rare. As for Tita, played by Saif Omran, he embodies the self -taught artist, repairer of phones and rapper, a character that is both light and poignant.
This proximity to Tunisian reality makes these young people deeply endearing. The spectator cannot help feeling affection for them, to share their hopes and their disillusions. Their naivety in front of the world of drugs, their overflowing ambition and their juvenile carefreeness help to create a rare and sincere empathy.
In parallel, the film highlights equally striking secondary figures, notably Zohra, embodied by Zohra Chetioui. This character is a courageous mother, working tirelessly to provide for her family, even if he can get out of the right path, also putting aside her values and principles to earn a little more. “” Zohra is a woman of the people Explains the actress. “” She touched me deeply by her strength and her humanity. His fight is that of many Tunisian women. This realism gives an additional depth to the story and allows the spectator to better understand the social contexts in which the protagonists evolve.
A strong metaphor and a lucid look at society
The film opens and ends with striking scenes involving dogs, a punchy metaphor that challenges. “” In Tunisia, stray dogs are often slaughtered by the state for public health reasons “Explains Walid Mattar. “” It inspired me to denounce a brutal system devoid of rules. This world of drugs, where the characters are trained in spite of themselves, resembles this chaotic universe, without laws or protections ».
A work between laughter and social reflection
Although the film tackles serious themes, Walid Mattar manages to breathe a welcome lightness. “” We wanted an accessible film, something popular but anchored in realism “Confides the director. This duality between drama and comedy is perfectly mastered, thanks to spontaneous dialogues and often funny situations. The moments of humor allow the public to breathe, while deepening their connection with the characters.
The atmosphere of the film is sublimated by a vibrant soundtrack, mixing rap and contemporary melodies. Composed by Mohamed Amine Hamzaoui and Nejmeddine Jelassi, she reflects both the energy and the contradictions of young protagonists.
A lucid look at Tunisian society
The Radès bridge, a real protagonist of the film, embodies the gap between two worlds: that of the rich and that of the poor, that of the dreams and that of the disillusions. Walid Mattar uses this symbol to explore the social transformations of contemporary Tunisia. “” The middle class is disappearing He observes. “” We live in an increasingly polarized society, where young people, bombed by wealth images on social networks, want to get everything quickly, sometimes at the cost of their principles and values. »»
This quest for rapid wealth, which pushes the characters to cross limits, resonates like an echo of the aspirations and frustrations of an entire generation. However, the director manages to avoid any moral judgment, letting the spectators draw their own conclusions. “” They are ordinary young people, not criminals “Insists Walid Mattar. “” They just try to find their place in a world that does not leave them many options. »»
A promising future for The bridge
After his first successful at the Cairo International Film Festival, The bridge will join Carthage’s film days, where he will compete in the national competition of fiction feature films. Its release in Tunisian rooms is planned in the coming months. The team also hopes that the film will continue its journey at other international festivals.
With The bridgeWalid Mattar delivers a work that is both touching and lucid, carried by deeply human characters and vibrant narration. This film, a mirror of a youth in search of meaning, reminds us that behind each broken dream hides a story to tell. A bridge between laughter and reflection, which remains in memory for a long time.
