The 12th edition of the Festival Cinéalma, the soul of the Mediterranean just ended. It is a Mediterranean film festival that takes place in Carros (Côte d’Azur – France). The name Cinealma also means “water cinema” of the Arabic word Al Ma.
This festival is organized by the association of moviegoers Movie in collaboration with the City of Carros.
During this edition which was dedicated to the Mediterranean woman “for her courage and her role in the evolution of society”, 34 films in 12 countries (France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Turkey, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, Iran and Palestine) were projected. Each projection was followed by a very often interesting debate with one or more members of the film team.
I participated in this festival as a member of the jury for the competition of unpublished films in France, which has a price of 3000 euros offered by the Crédit Agricole To help the winning film in France in France.
Tunisian film Tomorrow from dawn Lotfi Achour was in competition in this section and had attracted the attention of the jury, but it is the Algerian feature film The Star of Algiers by Rachid Benhadj which was finally chosen.
We, members of the jury, were unanimous for this choice and think that this film is the one that deserves the most to be distributed in France.
Indeed, through the story of a young singer who dreams of becoming a star, the film tells of the despair of Algerian youth who no longer finds work and the rise of Islamists during the 1990s which little by little become embedded in society and impose their rules.
This film is topical in our various countries and may serve as a alarm signal for French spectators.
A scene particularly attracted my attention: a man kills a journalist and then we see him queuing in front of the French consulate to obtain a visa. The assassins travel. Extremism spreads. You have to be careful.
The Star of Algiers had already won several awards at various festivals, including the “Best Funny Fun Pilot Prize” to the 12th edition of the International Film Festival for Childhood and Youth (Fifej) in Sousse in March 2017.
The three Tunisian films Tomorrow from dawn of Lotfi Achour, Beauty and pack by Kaouthar Ben Hania And Foreign body of Raja Amari were in competition for public prices, unfortunately none appeared in the list, which is as follows:
These three films have already been distributed in Tunisia by Hakka Distribution. Ali, the goat & ibrahim is currently scheduled at Cinémadart in Carthage.
The fact that the four awarded films are Arab is great. This proves that the spectators of this Mediterranean festival which takes place in France, are objective and that for them alone count the quality of the films. This public is made up of real moviegoers without prejudice against nationalities, languages, religions or cultures.
Exceptionally, a special mention was attributed to the very beautiful Italian feature film Sicilian Ghost Story by Fabio Crassadonia And Antonio Piazza which is inspired by the true story of the little Giuseppe Di Matteo, kidnapped by the mafia at the age of 13 and killed after two years of detention in awful conditions.
Although not rewarded, the three Tunisian films were very well received by the public and gave rise to very interesting discussions.
Raja Amari was present to talk about Foreign bodies And debate with the spectators.
For the other two films, unfortunately no member of their teams could respond to the festival invitation. This presence is however very important, the Cinéalma public is made up of passionate and very informed film buffs. So I tried to replace them during these debates as Tunisian. Even if I could not answer all the questions about films, I was able to do it concerning Tunisia, its revolution, the presence of Islamists, the future…. It was interesting to note that most spectators were very informed about what is happening with us. And of course, it made me very happy when they said that it was the Tunisian woman who by her fight will save Tunisia. I can only agree with this conclusion.
Beauty and pack will be in official competition at the Carthage Cinematographic Days which will take place from November 4 to 11, 2017. Its national exit At the cinema is scheduled for November 12, 2017.
Tunisia was also present at this festival in various ways.
First, for 12 years, the festival logo has been a door of Sidi Bou Saïd. This logo is of course present everywhere. In addition, the door of the cinema room where the festival takes place is a reproduction of a door by Sidi Bou Saïd. We can consider that it is a mark of opening and sympathy of the organizers for Tunisia.
Tunis Air being part of the festival sponsors, its logo was also everywhere (on the trailer, on the program, etc.).
Mr.hamed Ben Brahim, Consul General of Tunisia in Nice attended the opening of the festival. He also organized at the Consulate residence, an authentic Tunisian lunch: Slata Méchouia, Slata Tounsia, Ojja with shrimp, royal couscous … presented in Tebsis and Sinias.
To this lunch were invited to professionals of European and Maghreb cinema, the organizers of the Cinéalma and the Tunisian cinema festival in CannesMr. Carlo Scibetta, mayor of the city of Carros, Mr. Mahmoud Jemni, president of Gabès Arabic Film Festival (FIFAG) and two members of theJOUSOUR ASSOCIATIONfounder and finance of this Gabes festival.
FIFA and Cinéalma officials agreed with a partnership between the two festivals. The memorandum of understanding will be signed in Gabes during the 3rd edition of the FIFA which will take place from April 20 to 26, 2018.
As for me, throughout the duration of the festival, I tried in my way of promoting Tunisia by carrying Tounsi every day. One day I went there in a dress inspired by the traditional Hammamet costume, another day in Jebba, or even in Maryoul Fadhila, or by wearing a jewel or other Tunisian accessory.
And that’s how once once, The cinema allowed us to highlight our beautiful country.
Cinéalma festival trailer
Neïla Driss
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