Release in Tunis of the movie “Bab'Aziz” after successful spell in US and in Europe
Tunis, April 3, 2008 (TunisiaOnline) --Naceur Khemir is not only an accomplished filmmaker but also a talented painter, sculptor calligrapher and writer. His artistic inspiration is a blending of these art forms.
His latest movie creation, “Bab'Aziz” which dates back to 2005, is now shown in Tunis a successful spell in Europe and in the US where it was much appreciated by the critique.
“Bab'Aziz” which takes place in the Tunisian desert, tells the enchanting story of a prince who decides to become a dervish to attend the next meeting of dervishes which is scheduled to take place every 30 years. To do so he abandons all his earthly possessions, draping himself with a shroud of spirituality. In the words of Khemir, “This prince looks at his reflection in water but similarly to Narcissus he does not see his face but his soul”. The film offers a striking parable of self- effacement as it invites the viewer to abandon his own ego and open up on the world.
Incidentally the movie also offers a fresh, alternative image of Islam, far from the beaten tracks of today's stereotypes following the post 9/11 hysteria. Imbued with peace and serenity “Bab'Aziz” “casts a serene and powerful light on ancient Islamic civilization , which is in total contrast with the caricatural perception Europe has of it today”, says the director of the Swiss film archive in Locarno .
In his world view, Naceur Khemir conceives of the desert as a protagonist in itself. In two of his previous movies “Les baliseurs du desert” (1975) and “Le collier perdu de la Colombe”, the desert also played a prominent part of the plot. Incidentally both films were respectively awarded several distinctions in Carthage , Valencia Nantes and St Martin .
It is hoped that Khemir's latest movie also gets the rewards it truly deserves.
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