With the 17th European Film Days under way across Tunisia, Maghreb and European film-makers are showcasing their work and exchanging ideas, experiences and visions in an attempt to foster cinematographic partnership between the two regions.
"We want this event to be a live link between Europe and the Arab Maghreb," said Ambassador of the European Commission in Tunis Adrianus Koetsenruijter.
He stressed at the November 23rd opening ceremony that the event aims at boosting the exchange between Europe and the shores of the Mediterranean, adding that the participation of Maghreb countries gives the current edition a Euro-Maghreb air.
The festival, which runs through December 12th in eight Tunisian cities, began with a screening of ''Les barons'' ("The Barons") directed by Nabil Ben Yadir from Belgium. The movie addresses the travails of Moroccan youth living in Europe, who find a conflict between their ambitions and their parents' goals.
Among participating countries are France, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Finland, Greece, Poland, Malta, Hungary, Great Britain, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Mauritania, Libya, Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria.
The festival screens 35 films, including "Viva Laldjérie" ("Viva Algeria") by Nadhir Moukhnachi, "Moussem Lmchawcha" ("History of a fighter") by Moroccan Mohamed Ayad Bensouda, Mauritanian Abderrahmane Sissako's "Bamako" and "Tahiya Al-Qissma" ("Viva Division") directed by Libyan Salah Qouidri.
Tunisia participated with three films, including Moez Kamoun's "Fin Decembre" ("Late December"), and nine short films.
In his turn, Senior Advisor to the EU Delegation in Tunisia Dirk Buda commented that cinema meetings like as this one can be an opportunity to support the partnership between the European and Maghreb cinema, so that they can become a bridge for communication and a way for co-operation and openness.
Many attendees praised the idea of integration between the Maghreb and European cinema and expressed hope that the event could lead to cultural and artistic partnership between the European Union and the Maghreb.
Tunisian producer Lotfi Ayouni stressed that such events can be an occasion to assess the achievements of Maghreb cinematography and enhance bilateral cooperation.
He also commented that the film festival is a business strategy, which aims to introduce European film and culture to the public through the silver screen.
According to Sidi Mohamed Ould Sidi Taleb, a Mauritanian national studying in Tunisia, Maghreb filmmakers should exploit their commonalities with European countries to benefit from their experiences. He added that European cinema has historical precedence over its Maghreb counterpart and the financial means and other resources that can contribute to improving the level of Maghreb film-makers.
For young producers and directors, the European Film Days present a unique opportunity to showcase their work and reach out to the viewers.
"It is an opportunity for me to introduce my productions and get introduced to the productions of others, and form relationships with other directors and get closer to the public," young director Majdi Akhdhar said.
© Magharebia.com 2010
