Luxor African Film Festival 2024 – Tribute to Ahmed Hafiene

During the 14th edition of the Luxor African Film Festival which takes place from January 9 to 14, 2024, Tunisian actor Ahmed Hafiene was honored for his entire career. This moving tribute took place during the opening ceremony in the heart of the sumptuous Luxor temple.

Two days later, the celebration was followed by the screening of one of his most notable films, Fatwadirected by Mahmoud Ben Mahmoud.

Ahmed Hafiene, whose talent has been praised on numerous occasions, shone in Fatwa. This film earned him several prestigious distinctions, including the Best Actor Award at the Carthage Film Days in 2018. In addition to this award, Fatwa also won the Tanit d’Or, a major recognition in the world of Arab and African cinema.

In 2019, Ahmed Hafiene continued to garner honors for his performance in this film. He received the Best Actor Award at the Malmö Arab Film Festival, after being distinguished at the Vues d’Afrique Festival in Montreal and at the Tunisian Cinema Festival. Each time, its role in Fatwa was praised for its depth and intensity.

Before the screening, Ahmed Hafiene made a point of greeting the audience, expressing his great joy at being honored and seeing his film screened as part of the festival. He recalled that the film had won numerous awards and that he himself had been awarded for his performance in this feature film, saying: “ I am happy to be here at the festival and to receive this prestigious tribute. »

Ahmed Hafiene sent a message to the young audience, in particular to the adolescents present in large numbers at the screening, urging them to be vigilant, because youth can, at certain times, be a period ripe for deviation. He pointed out that cinema and films saved him from such dangers when he was young.

During his speech, Ahmed Hafiene declared: “ What matters most to me is that we made this film for young people. Although the title is Fatwathe central theme is the pain of parents who lose a child because of an omnipresent danger: terrorism. » He added that the film conveyed strong emotions and that he hoped the audience would appreciate them.

After the screening, Ahmed Hafiene took the time to listen to the opinions and questions of young people regarding the film, its concept and its interpretation, because it addresses a crucial issue: that of terrorism and armed groups which attract young people.

The actor expressed his pride in participating in this project, affirming that the film was aimed above all at the general public. He specified that the filming took place in 2013, a period when Tunisia was among the main countries exporting terrorism. “ Terrorism is a fabricated issue. When societies progress, terrorism arises to slow down any social, cultural or economic progress. Culture, on the other hand, is the locomotive of development and social and cultural renaissance “, he concluded.

Fatwa tells the story of Brahim Nadhour, a Tunisian living in France, who returns to Tunis after the suspicious death of his son Marouane, officially the victim of a motorcycle accident. By investigating, Brahim discovers that Marouane was active in a Salafist organization, which pushes him to doubt the circumstances of his death. The film explores the complex dynamics between the father, played with finesse by Ahmed Hafiene, and his radicalized son, while denouncing the mechanisms of indoctrination. Through a breathtaking plot, Fatwa highlights the conflict between moderate religious values ​​and extremist ideologies, while exposing the pain and dilemmas of parents faced with loss and incomprehension.

The role of Brahim, played by Ahmed Hafiene, brilliantly illustrates the struggle of a father facing his own doubts and a torn society. The film, while exploring the mechanisms of indoctrination, highlights the resistance and courage needed to confront extremism.

Among the other actors, we find the famous Ghalia Benali in the role of Loubna, Marouane’s mother and ex-wife of Brahim, a deputy engaged in the fight against religious extremism.

Sarra Hannachi plays Latifa, a young woman victim of domestic violence, while Mohamed Sassi and Ramzi Aziz play key characters who revolve around Brahim in his quest for truth. The film also highlights the obstacles Brahim faces: the fear of speaking, the complicit silence of the community, and the hostility of extremist religious circles.

The film, shot partly in the El Marr souk, offers an authentic representation of Tunis, highlighting the subtle balance between its rich historical heritage and the contemporary challenges it faces. Through Brahim’s interactions with various local characters, director Mahmoud Ben Mahmoud paints a complex and nuanced portrait of current Tunisian society.

With FatwaMahmoud Ben Mahmoud skillfully mixes the codes of crime fiction with deep social reflection. Brahim’s investigation into the death of his son becomes a pretext to explore the fractures of a society where extremist ideologies threaten individual and cultural freedoms.

Far from any Manichaeism, the film depicts the psychological ravages of indoctrination on vulnerable minds. It also illustrates the courage of those who, like Loubna, dare to resist pressure and defend their convictions. Ode to tolerance and freedom, Fatwa strongly denounces obscurantism and calls for a cultural and social renaissance.

The tribute paid to Ahmed Hafiane at the Luxor Festival is well-deserved recognition for this talented actor, whose performances have marked Arab and African cinema. His interpretation in Fatwa remains engraved in memories, confirming its status as an icon of Tunisian cinema.

Neïla Driss