Two days ago, the 2020 edition of Carthage (JCC), a very special edition, opened.
Indeed, when it was necessary to decide whether or not to give up this 2020 edition because of the Pandemic of COVID 19, the choice fell on an intermediate solution: not to cancel, but rather to organize a retrospective edition that could be described as “memory” or “heritage”.
The JCCs have existed since 1966, and it was perhaps time to land, to remember the 30 past editions and especially to reflect on the future of this festival.
This “concept” of memory and heritage is very important, it will initially allow to make known all these old films to young Tunisian film buffs, and then to make the importance of this festival aware of the importance, on the part it represents in our culture and to start to constitute the archives of the JCC and therefore allow to write its history and to keep it.
To this end, Films which either had been awarded or made the news of the JCCs from 1966 to the present day, will be screened during these five days. But in addition, an exhibition of photographs and videos, a forum and films telling ancient Editions of the JCC will allow to dive into the glorious past of this festival.
The JCC 2020 opening ceremony set the tone by emphasizing this memory aspect of the festival. She started with the young Chouchene anise who claimed a poem recalling and insisting on the values of the JCC: Africa, freedom, peace, justice and beauty.
The decor and the images that paraded on the opera scene were also there to recall these past editions. We saw Chedly Klibi to which a particular tribute was paid during this ceremony, Tahar Chriaa founder of the JCC, the first Pan -African and Panarabian festival of cinema and which was the secretary general until 1974, and others …
A moving video was projected, in which former JCCs have been seen who told some of their memories linked to this festival.
Moving memories of these 1960s and 1970s, when all these passionate moviegoers met to see the films and especially to debate them. For some, like Hichem Ben Ammar, the JCCs remind him of his first role in the movies in the film Sejnane, directed by Abdellatif Ben Ammar. This film was scheduled for the 1974 JCC and it was with his whole family. Sejnane had also won the Silver Tanit in this edition. For Fatma Ben Saidane, the JCCs were also folklore with these invited African troops who danced, in colorful costumes. They were also the discussions around films, the meetings … In 1978, the festival had taken a new turning point, and had become more important. From that year, he had started to receive prestigious guests, like the Egyptian actor and director Youssef Wahby and “Sayyidatou al Chacha al Arabya” Faten Hamama.
Very beautiful staging of this ceremony, which was well thought out, well punctuated, well illustrated … Even the musical interlude was part of this spirit of memory, since a tribute was paid to the singer Naama, who left us a few weeks ago. On the other hand, this mini-concert should have been a little shorter, the JCC being a film festival and no music.
The choice of photos is well studied. For example, the photo of actor Abdelaziz Makhyoun is very beautiful. We did not choose a photo where we see it smiling, but rather an expressive photo taken in a film. Such an eloquent photo!
In addition, give a festive air with the golden logo. Hope despite the pandemic. The party, life. Precisely the challenge. Drive the pandemic and organize a good edition despite all the obstacles and all the difficulties. This is what had already allowed to hope‘Official poster for this edition, for which cinema is light and hope in this dark period of pandemic.
The most beautiful staging of a JCC opening ceremony for years, despite a small problem: two or three times, Sami Bannour, the presenter cut the floor to Samira Maghroun, his co -presentator. He also omitted to specify the quality of the people who received the trophy in the name of the late Chedly Klibi.
Two Tanit of gold of honor were awarded during this ceremony:
- To the Egyptian actor Abdelaziz Makhyoun For his entire cinematographic career, this particular actor, who has his own style and who chooses his roles according to his convictions. He said he was very proud of this honor, which takes place in Tunisia, a country at the origin of the Arab Spring and the country of people as prestigious as Abou El Kacem Chebbi. He also said he was happy to be present at this edition of the JCCs to show that life continues, to challenge illness, but also ignorance and extremism thanks to art. He added that this tribute by such a festival is very important for him, much more important than all the tributes of other festivals in Egypt because the JCC is a festival which has roots and a story.
- Fiery Chedly KlibiPrime Minister of Tunisian Culture and among the founders of the JCC. A posthumous gold of honor was given to his family, as a reward for all that he has given to Tunisian and Arab culture, his fight for freedom of thought and his defense of creation and creators.
To stay in this memory and heritage spirit, it was decided to replace the traditional opening film with Six short films that recall or inspire films that have made the history of the JCC. These short films had to be broadcast on national TV, but at the last minute, they were censored. It seems that one of these short films includes a “daring” scene !!
Good festival and “wear your masks, the JCCs take care of the rest!” »»
Neïla Driss
