‘Rouge Parole’ opens on 4th January in El Manar
(Documentary — Tunisia-Switzerland-Qatar)
‘Rouge Parole’ (Red Word), directed by Tunisian film director Elyes Baccar, which premiered in the Amilcar Theatre in El Manar, Tunis on 29th December, will start it’s circuit starting on 4th January 2012 at the same venue.
The film recounts the story of the Tunisian uprisings that led to the fall of former president Ben Ali’s regime. The film last for around 94 minutes and details the events between January 18th and the end of February, 2011.
“Rouge Parole” stands out as one of the few certain to have a life beyond the immediate burst of interest. That’s thanks to Elyes Baccar’s accomplished eye, sympathetic and intelligent ear, and a wide-ranging scope that goes beyond instant headlines. By traveling to towns throughout Tunisia, he achieves one of the goals of the revolution, to counter regionalism and show the struggle as a nationwide revolt against dictatorship. Fest play should be strong, and Euro satcast a near-certainty.
“Rouge Parole” is celebratory without being hysterical, and Baccar’s success partly lies in his ability to generate moments of emotional catharsis while remaining reasoned. A scene outside a Tunis bookshop showing passersby crying in disbelief that formerly banned books are displayed in the window grabs at the heart and mind, while a cut to locals wandering like tourists of their own history through the ruined residence of dictator Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali’s hated in-laws reinforces the dazed shock of the revolution’s swift progression.
The docu is not strictly chronological, moving from place to place to highlight the roles played by people in the hinterlands. Sidi Bouzid is an obvious first stop after Tunis, since the central Tunisian town is considered the birthplace of the uprising following Mohamed Bouazizi’s self-immolation in December. While Bouazizi’s act is acknowledged as the revolution’s spark, Baccar places his terrible death in context by including the string of martyrdoms that followed, such as that of Houcine Neji, whose mother Om el Khir Neji carries a tragic dignity that’s hard to quantify.
Rouge Parole is a production of Gaia Production (Tunisia), Doha Film Institute (Qatar) et Akka Film (Switzerland).
Source: http://www.tunisienumerique.com/2011/12/sortie-en-salles-de-rouge-parole-nouveau-film-delyes-baccar-le-4-janvier-2012/
