THE SILENCES OF THE PALACE

Alia is a young wedding singer who learns that the former prince Sid’Ali has died. His death brings her back to the palace where she spent her childhood and adolescence alongside her mother Khedija who worked there as a servant. Through Alia’s memories the film reveals the lives of the women who served the ruling family and the unequal relationships between masters and servants under the French Protectorate. As Alia revisits the palace she confronts painful memories of exploitation family secrets and her search for the truth about her origins.

Original title Samt el Qusur
Arabic title صمت القصور
Directed by Moufida Tlatli
Written by Moufida Tlatli
Adaptation and Dialogue Nouri Bouzid
Featuring Hend Sabri Ghalia Lacroix Amel Hedhili Najia Ouerghi Sami Bouajila Kamel Fazaa Hichem Rostom Hélène Catzaras Fatima Ben Saïdane Zahira Ben Ammar Sabah Bouzouita Sonia Meddeb Kamel Touati
Cinematography Youssef Ben Youssef
Editing Moufida Tlatli
Music Anouar Brahem
Sound Faouzi Thabet
Production Companies Cinétéléfilms Magfilm Mat Films Canal Horizon
Festival de Cannes — Quinzaine des Réalisateurs
1994 | Official Selection
Award: Special Mention — Caméra d’Or
Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF)
1994 | Official Selection
Award: FIPRESCI International Critics’ Award
Journées Cinématographiques de Carthage (JCC)
1994 | Official Selection
Awards: Tanit d’Or; Best Actress — Hind Sabri
Istanbul International Film Festival
1994 | Official Selection
Award: Golden Tulip
Chicago International Film Festival
1994 | Official Selection
Award: Best First Feature
Giffoni Film Festival
1994 | Out of Competition — Linea d’Ombra
Johannesburg International Film Festival
1994 | Official Selection
Award: Best Film
British Film Institute (BFI)
1994 | Sutherland Trophy
Award: Sutherland Trophy — Best First or Second Feature
Festival du cinéma d’Afrique, d’Asie et d’Amérique latine de Milan
1995 | Official Selection
Award: Best Feature Film

I STILL HIDE TO SMOKE

LIFE