VHS Kahloucha" reconciles the Tunisian public with cinema

2007-01-11

A new documentary film by a young Tunisian director has won the praise of moviegoers and critics. It is the first documentary film to be shown commercially in movie theatres in the country.

By Iheb Al-Tounisi for Magharebia in Tunis – 11/10/07

Iheb Al-Tounisi] Moncef Kahloucha (centre) with crew members of "VHS Kahloucha".

Viewers and critics are hailing a new film by young Tunisian director Nejib Belkhadi -- the first documentary to be shown in commercial movie theatres in the country. Despite the difficulty of marketing films of this genre, the director's insistence to show it commercially paid off -- with many flocking to see it after its opening Monday (January 8th).

The film, "VHS Kahloucha", is a close-up of the Kazmat neighbourhood in the coastal city of Sousse. Moncef Kahloucha, the main character of the film, is in reality a house painter and former prison inmate. His love for filmmaking begins with visits to theatres in Sousse and mingling amongst international actors who were in the city for work or vacation.

This young man -- forced by harsh social circumstances to leave school and take on exhausting work to make a living -- begins filming stories starring residents of his neighbourhood. Kahloucha then shows his films in coffeehouses in the Kazmat neighbourhood, becoming a source of entertainment for those with hardships.

In real life, Kahloucha met the director when he was filming one of his productions. "I met Belkhadi by chance when I was shooting the film 'Tarzan' in a forest near Kazmat village, where he discovered me," he said.

Belkhadi tells Kahloucha's story in a narrative style. Unemployment, crime, marginalisation, blocked horizons and secret immigration are some of the subjects that make the virtuous Kahloucha a mirror of society reflected in the director's lens.

"In reality, I didn't go to film the issues. Rather, the story thrust issues upon me," Belkhadi told Magharebia. "The Kazmat neighbourhood is a poor neighbourhood with social problems. Every house has a problem. But we don't have to reject people like Kahloucha and not speak with them or about them. We must understand people's circumstances and the cause that pushed them towards [where they are]. Ultimately, I say cinema doesn't change the world, but rather makes people aware," the young director added.

"A film realistic to the core makes you re-examine many issues and feel that Tunisia isn't as rosy as has always been portrayed to us. Rather, it, like all nations of the world, has poverty and wealth, as well as problems and crises," Fine arts student Suheir Kadour says.

The film also won the approval of critics and journalists. "My admiration and bedazzlement with the film's concept, reality and journey into the depths of the people increased," Tunisian daily Assarih said.

"The film 'Kahloucha' stands alone in its cinematic language, its subject matter, the high level at which it was carried out and the element of astonishment it leaves everyone who sees it," the daily Assahafa wrote.

"VHS Kahloucha" has been shown at a number of international festivals, including a screening during Tunisia Day at the 2006 Cannes Festival and the 2006 Carthage Cinema Days. It won first prize in the documentary competition at the International Film Festival in Dubai last month.