More than 29 movies of Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian film directors are expected to be showcased in “Panorama des Cinéma du Maghreb” which will be held April 10-13 in Paris suburb of Saint-Denis.
Previously known as “Panorama des Cinémas du Maroc” in its past two editions because of the lone Moroccan participation, the festival aims to introduce Maghreb countries’ cinema to the French public in a bid to change their “wrong” perception of Muslim-Arab culture, which often comes under the spotlight in the French media.
North African immigrants are also invited to learn about their countries of origin through the movies’ depiction of thorny issues such as marriage, immigration and human rights.
The festival will pay tribute to the late Algerian director Mohamed Bouamari by screening his emblematic film “Al-Hattab” (The Charcoal Man) in the opening ceremony.
Died in 2006, Bouamari was a thunder voice and avid passionate of the Algerian cinema. He possessed a great talent in illustrating perversions in Algerian society and his country was engraved in his heart despite his forced exile in 1994.
“Al-Hattab” is a movie which depicts social and economic changes and their side effects on Algerian society in early seventies when Belkacem, a former “maquis” (fighter in the French underground during World War II) and a charcoal man, found himself and his family living in poverty.
As his charcoal sales cannot generate enough income when gas starts to be supplied to household, Belkacem decides to go to Algiers and ask for a friend’s help to find him a job. In the meantime, his wife manages to get hired in a textile factory which opened in the neighbouring village.
The film, which heralds the birth of a new Algerian cinema, highlights the rural struggle against industrialization amid the advent of a social layer that has reached high positions through immoral ways.
The festival will showcase nine short films, previously awarded in a number of film festivals, including the film "Ordure" (Trash) of Tunisia’s Lotfi Achour and "Mannequin" of Morocco’s Bouselham Daif.
In the documentary category: “Du cote de chez soi” (Beside one’s house) of Rahma Benhamou El-Madani, “Casanayda” (Casa moving) of Farida Belyazid, and “Je voudrais vous raconter” (I would like to tell you) of Dalila Ennadre.
“Du cote de chez soi” depicts Madani’s life of her parents who live between France and Morocco while she seeks to talk to them about Algeria, the country where she was born.
“Casanayda” is a documentary that portrays the cultural change movement that gripped the Moroccan youth in the third millennium. This movement, which has taken the name "Nayda" (moving!), started from an underground environment in late 90s and is now imposing itself in the public arena.
As for “Je voudrais vous raconter”, Ennadre raises the issue of Moroccan women in relation with the practice of the family code which has been reformed in October 2003, giving them more rights.
Ennadre is asking whether the situation of disadvantaged women is going to change in Morocco where most of them live in rural areas, are illiterate, have no access to information and where corruption and poverty are harrowing.
The festival also organises meetings with film producers and comedians, concerts, forums and a round table to discuss cinema in the Maghreb.
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