Fouska by Sami El Hadj
Tunisia
26 min | 2008
The Film
The director has succeeded in rare metaphoric political writing, as he presents a full and expressive scene on the state of the country through the story of high school pupils who are taking an Islamic religion test in which a cheating attempt occurs. Events get tangled up and escalate between the pupils, teachers, guardians, and the director while the top of the pyramid, the principle, is never seen. The director is asking through a directive view, that distances itself from nicety and conceit, about the concept of authority as a practice and as relationships between the top to the lower levels.
The Filmmaker
Born in October 1971, Sami El Hadl studied economics and fine arts, first in Tunisia and then in La Fémis in Paris. He earned his master’s in theatrical studies and visual arts from the Higher Institute of Theatrical Arts. He has been a director and producer since 1993. Currently he is working on two long features, ‘Azrael’ and ‘Teritorium Nostrom’. His film ‘Fouska’ has earned the great prize of best short film at the 18th African, Asian and Latin American Film Festival in Milan, Italy.
