The JCC closing ceremony has just ended. Even if it is far from perfect, it is much better organized than the opening ceremony of these same JCCs. The Egyptian actor Adel Imam was the guest of honor but also the disturbing element because of a whole army of bodyguards which accompany him.
Mr. Brahim Letaief, Director of the JCC, presented a Tanit of Honor to Adel Imam. The latter pronounced a few words of thanks and paid tribute to the elders of cinema, in particular Egyptian. What made Lotfi Abdelli react who, when he was on stage to put a prize back on stage, took the opportunity to bounce back on the words of Adel Imam and in his funny way, said that if “Egypt is the mother of the world” (Masr Oum Eddonia), Tunisia is the father, and that if Egypt is the mother of cinema, Tunisia is also the father!
Mr. Brahim Eltaief insisted that the JCC is probably the festival which has the widest audience in the world. Indeed, on the 4th day of the JCC, there were already 145,000 spectators and that in the end, there would be around 200,000 spectators for the whole festival. He also recalled that the projections took place not only in Tunis in the cinemas, but also in the regions, the prisons, the barracks, the universities and even in the outdoor cinema room installed on Avenue Habib Bourguiba. Avenue which according to the governor of Tunis, and to the delight of traders, would have observed during these JCC an increase in attendance of passers -by by 30%.
Mr. Abderrahmane Sissako, president of the jury feature films delivered a fairly severe speech against this edition of the JCC. He has indeed criticized his poor organization and hoped that it will be better in the future. He deplored the fact that one of the films in competition was not viewed because of technical problems and also judged that the selection of films in competition was not good, because according to him it did not understand enough African films. He nevertheless concluded by saying that the most important thing during the JCC is not so much to win, but to share and that he was happy to have just shared thanks to the long hours of debate and discussions.
Regarding the prize list, the Egyptian film Eshtebek (Clash) by Mohamed Diab, who had opened the Un certain Look selection in Cannes in May 2016, won 3 prizes in official competition, In addition to the prize of the African Federation of Cinematographic Criticism (FACC), Nejiba Hamrouni Prize won in parallel section. This film was also chosen to represent Egypt to be selected to compete in the Oscar for the best film in a foreign language.
Silver Tanit for the film Eshtebek
The two Golden Tanit of official competition and competition first work, were won by two Tunisian films, in this case Zeineb hates snow by Kaouthar Ben Henia and The Last of Us by Alaeddine Slim. It should be recalled that this last film had already won Two prices at the Venice Mostra.
Tanit d’or for the film Zeineb does not like snow
COMPETITION Official Longs Films
Golden Tanit: Zeineb doesn’t like snow by Khaouther Ben Henia (Tunisia)
Silver Tanit: Eshtebek (Clash) by Mohamed Diab (Egypt)
Bronze tanit: 3000 nights from May Massri (Palestine)
Special jury price :: The Revolution Won’t Be Televised Rama Tiwa (Senegal)
Best editing : Ahmed Hafez for the film Eshtebek (Clash) (Egypt)
Best image : Ahmed Jabr for the film Eshtebek (Clash) (Egypt)
Best music : the Chkrrr group for the film Chouf (Tunisia)
Best scenario: May Massri for the film 3000 nights (Palestine)
Best female interpretation: Oulaya Amamra and Deborah Lukumuena for the film Divine (Morocco)
Best male interpretation: Foued Nabba for the film Chouf (Tunisia)
Bronze tanit for 3000 nights
First work competition
Golden Tanit: The Last of Us of Alaeddine Slim (Tunisia)
Silver Tanit: Now they can come from Salem Brahimi (Algeria)
Special jury prize: This Little Father Obsession from Salim Mourad (Lebanon)
Best female interpretation: Noufissa benchida for the film A mile in my shoes (Morocco)
Best male interpretation: Majd Mastoura for the film Nhebek hedi (Tunisia)
Tanit d’Or First work for the film The Last of Us
1st work competition: Best male interpretation: Majd MASTOURA
COMPETITION Short Films
Golden Tanit: Marabout of Alasan Sy (Senegal)
Silver Tanit: Silence from Chadi Aoun (Lebanon)
Bronze tanit: Place for my self Dusabejambo Marie Clémentine (Rwanda)
Carthage cine promise
Golden Tanit: The Guilt probability by Michael Labarca (Venezuela)
Special jury prize: Rue de l’Espoir by Mohamed Echkouna (Mauritania)
Special mention: Life’s Eye of Wafa Hussein (Egypt)
UGTT Prize
Best executive in a Tunisian film: Amir Messaadi in the film The Last of Us of Alaeddine Slim
Congratulations to all the winners.
Neïla Driss
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