Still from The Season of Men (2000)
Doha, Qatar: The Doha Film Institute (DFI) is set to pay tribute to the remarkable legacy of Moufida Tlatli, an influential Tunisian filmmaker and editor who revolutionised Arab cinema.
As part of its “DFI Cinema” programme, a series of films celebrating Tlatli’s work will be showcased at the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) from June 2 to 5. The film lineup for the event includes four notable movies. Starting at 7pm each day, attendees will have the opportunity to watch Tlatli’s films in the MIA auditorium. The featured movies are “Wanderers of the Desert” (1984), “The Silences of the Palace” (1994), “The Season of Men” (2000), and “Fertile Memory” (1981).
Still from The Silences of the Palace (1994)
Tickets for the screenings can be purchased on the DFI website for QR35. The DFI warmly encourages film enthusiasts and the general public to join in this special “weekend celebration” of Tlatli’s extraordinary contributions to Arab cinema.
Moufida Tlatli, born in Tunisia in 1947, holds the distinction of being one of the first female filmmakers from the Arab world to gain international acclaim. She honed her editing skills in Paris before returning to Tunis in 1972. Tlatli’s name is associated with the credits of several influential Arab films spanning the period from 1970 to 1990, including “Fertile Memory” (1981) by Michel Khleifi, “Wanderers of the Desert” (1984) by Nacer Khemir, and “Caméra Arabe” (1987) by Ferid Boughhedir.
Notably, she made history as the first Arab woman to direct a full-length feature film in the Arab world. Her directorial debut, “The Silences of the Palace,” garnered international attention in 1994 and received accolades such as the Golden Camera at the Cannes Film Festival, the Golden Tanit of Carthage, the Sutherland Trophy at the British Film Institute Awards, and the International Critics’ Award at the Toronto Film Festival.
Continuing her trajectory of success, Tlatli’s second film, “The Season of Men,” was showcased in the prestigious Un Certain Regard section at the 2000 Cannes Film Festival. This further solidified her reputation as a distinctive and influential female voice in Arab filmmaking. Through her groundbreaking films, she not only left an indelible mark on the Arab filmmaking industry but also paved the way for Arab feminist and independent cinema. Her lasting impact extends beyond borders, making her a true trailblazer in the world of cinema.
