Thursday, September 12, 2024, the gardens of the residence of the Swiss Embassy in Tunis turned into an outdoor cinema for an exceptional projection. The event, organized under the patronage of Ambassador Josef Renggli, honored the film “Take My Breath” by Tunisian director Nada Mezni Hafaiedh.
This feature film, crowned with the Grand Prix of the International Competition during the 19th edition of the International Film Festival Oriental in Geneva (Fifog) in June 2024, explored deep themes of identity and acceptance.
The festival, placed under the sign of “knowledge and recognition of the other”, had also rewarded Amina Ben Smail of the Prize for best actress for her poignant interpretation of Shams.
“Take My Breath” plunged spectators into the history of Shams, a young 23 -year -old seamstress living on an isolated island. Behind her calm appearance, she hid a heavy secret that upset her life once revealed.
The director presented this account as an allegory of human experience, exploring the conflict between identity and desire through the prism of intersation.
Nada Mezni Hafaiedh, of which it was the third film, said her conviction in a “committed cinema”. She targeted through her art to “change the perceptions and behavior of people” by highlighting taboo subjects and marginalized struggles.
The inspiration of the film was born from an meeting with an intersex Moroccan person, illustrating the director’s commitment to give a voice to the minorities.
Ambassador Josef Renggli alongside director Nada Mezni Hafaiedh and actors in the film “Take My Breath” during the reception at the residence of the Swiss ambassador in Tunis.
Questioned by Webdo about her artistic choices, Nada stressed that the selection of actors was based solely on their talent, without consideration for their physical appearance. She fully assumed the LGBTQ+ orientation of her films, motivated by her desire to develop mentalities.
The “Take My Breath” evening at the Swiss Embassy turned out to be a highlight of the Tunisian cultural scene, combining committed cinema and cultural diplomacy. She also offered an overview of Nada Mezni Hafaiedh’s work, who has just finished her next film, a love story taking place in Tunisia.
