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Tunisia Film Fest: Cinema Fights Geopolitical Unease
5 May
Summary
- Gabès festival celebrated art as resistance against regional conflicts.
- The event featured politically engaged cinema from MENA and beyond.
- Film screenings and masterclasses were held amidst geopolitical tensions.
The Gabès Cinema Festival concluded recently, featuring Oliver Laxe's Moroccan desert drama 'Sirāt.' Festival director Afef Ben Mahmoud emphasized the event's focus on politically engaged cinema, seeing art as an act of resistance amid geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and North Africa. The festival showcased films addressing complex realities, including the Lebanese composer Cynthia Zaven's 'Palestine: A New Narration' and Kaouther Ben Hania's Gaza drama 'The Voice of Hind Rajab.'
Despite regional unease caused by conflicts, the festival proceeded, aiming to touch and raise awareness through film. Ben Mahmoud aimed to integrate cinema, virtual reality, and video art sections, creating a unified experience. This approach mirrors her own diverse artistic career. The festival also featured installations and exhibitions, such as 'Costumes on Stage: Memories of Tunisian Cinema,' connecting various artistic forms and fostering dialogue.
The festival prioritized authentic programming over star power, focusing on projects that align with its unique vision. This commitment to the moving image in all its forms defined the event, creating a space for cinematic exploration and engagement against a backdrop of significant global events.
