Doha, Qatar: DFI at VOX returns this month and presents “The Last Queen,” a 2022 film inspired by the renowned Princess Zaphira, the wife of Salim Toumi, the last King of Algiers, and her valiant struggle to protect her community from the pirate Barbarossa.
The screening will run until today, June 24, 8pm at VOX Cinemas at Doha Festival City, the Doha Film Institute (DFI) disclosed. Directed by Damien Ounouri and Adila Bendimerad, “The Last Queen” features notable performances by Adila Bendimerad and Dali Benssalah.
This cinematic production stands out for its remarkable portrayal of female characters and marks Algeria’s inaugural venture into the realm of costume dramas. Although the existence of Princess Zaphira and her precise role remains a subject of dispute among Algerian historians, the historical drama captures an awe-inspiring narrative akin to Shakespearean epics.
It delves into a critical era of the North African nation, previously unexplored in the medium of film. Amidst breathtaking action sequences and meticulously choreographed battles, the movie intricately weaves together a compelling human story encompassing political intrigue, treachery, and power, thereby presenting a vivid depiction of an iconic female figure. Tickets for the screening can be purchased on the DFI website, priced at QR44 for standard seats and QR55 for premium seats.
