Two masterclasses led by two prominent directors were among the highlights of the fourth day of the JCC: Tunisian director Jilani Saadi and Palestinian director Hany Abu-Assad.
As part of the 35th edition of the Carthage Film Festival, the Theater of Young Creators (City of Culture) hosted a masterclass on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, with Tunisian director Jilani Saadi. Moderated by professor and critic Slim Ben Cheikh, the session provided an opportunity for Saadi to reflect on Bizerte, his hometown, where his passion for cinema began through his involvement in a film club. His cinematic vision was influenced by the works of Buster Keaton and Italian neorealism.
A “diverse cinephile,” Saadi also drew inspiration from Tunisian filmmakers such as Abdellatif Ben Ammar and Mahmoud Ben Mahmoud. Seeking to move away from the poetic dialogues prevalent in the cinema of the time, he aimed to create films that were freer and lighter, with more raw and realistic scripts. His first feature film, Khorma, allowed him to express his love for Bizerte, which hosted the film’s shooting. Saadi described his recurring lead actor, Mohammad Grayaa, as his “mirror,” embodying his own image. For Saadi, his films focus on self-emancipation and challenging authority. Shot on minimal budgets and with unconventional methods, including GoPro and surveillance cameras, his approach underscores his aesthetic commitment to breaking cinematic conventions.
The Theater of Young Creators also hosted a session on Wednesday, December 18, with Palestinian director Hany Abu-Assad, moderated by professor and critic Mohamed Tarek Ben Chaabane, and attended by students, researchers, and cinema enthusiasts.
This session offered an opportunity to explore Hany Abu-Assad’s artistic vision and his perspective on the power dynamics shaping today’s world. The director highlighted the resilience of Gaza’s inhabitants, stating, “Gazans taught us courage.” He also emphasized how his films provoke discussions on sensitive societal issues, adding that the director’s viewpoint is crucial against attempts by financiers to control artistic works.
Launched on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, the third edition of the JCC in Barracks continues until December 23, 2024. This initiative aims to engage and sensitize soldiers to cultural and artistic life, emphasizing cinema’s role as a medium of awareness, entertainment, and human values. During this third edition, seven works, blending fiction and documentary, are scheduled to be screened in five barracks located in the governorates of Kef, Kasserine, Bizerte, Beja, and Sousse.
At the City of Culture, in the Media Center, a conference titled “The New Dynamic: Jordanian Cinema as an Example” was held on Wednesday as part of the Jordanian Focus section. The event featured the participation of the director-general of the Royal Film Commission of Jordan, the director of the Jordan International Film Festival, and Jordanian filmmaker Zayed Abu Hamdan. The discussion highlighted the Royal Film Commission’s role in promoting Jordanian cinema. Established in 2003, the commission has propelled Jordanian cinema onto the international stage by offering global production services and year-round training opportunities in collaboration with international partners. The commission’s annual support fund, exceeding $750,000, has facilitated the creation of films such as Daughters of Abdulrahman by Zaid Abu Hamdan, Farha by Darine J Salam, and The Alleys by Bassel Ghandour.
On Wednesday, December 18, 2024, the “Chabaka” and “Takmil” workshops of the Carthage Pro section, led by Yamina Mechri Bendana for this edition, concluded their activities at the Africa Hotel in Tunis. Participants presented their projects through pitch sessions to film professionals, aiming for project realization.
In the same context, as part of the “Carthage Talks” section, two panels were held: one on new technologies and their impact on creativity, and another on promoting Palestinian imagery today.
It is worth noting that the Carthage Pro section was established in 1992 to support industry professionals and talents from the Arab and African worlds.
TunisianMonitorOnline (Douha Saafi)
