Tunisia-Palestinian cause at the soul of Resistance and Liberation Film Week, January 20-26 in Tunis

The inaugural ceremony of the first “Resistance and Liberation Film Week” kicked off on Monday at the Culture City in Tunis in the presence of Tunisian and Arab activists, trade unionists, politicians and artists, reported the TAP agency.

Djamila Bouhired, a former activist and great icon of the struggle for Algerian independence, was the guest of honour at this inaugural edition. A tribute was paid to her in recognition of her pioneering role, as well as that of all Algerian women in the fight against colonialism.

Tunisians Radhia Nasraoui, Abdel Bari Atwan, Hamma Hammami, Abdelfattah Morou, Lotfi Bouchnak and Ali Bannour were also among the main guests present.

Support for the Palestinian cause was at heart of the various speeches delivered. Executive Director of the event Mohamed Khafeja pointed out the importance of this event organised in partnership with the Tunisian Film Library, stressing the need to continue the struggle for the Palestinian cause.

According to Lotfi Bouchnak, “the current events in some Arab countries have overshadowed the Palestinian cause,” considering that “the true culture, which is supposed to bring together the region’s peoples, is in turn absent from the Arab media.” “Nothing that is currently being broadcast (in our media) represents the Arab identity,” explained the Tunisian artist known for his patriotic songs.

As part of a cycle entitled “Resistance and Liberation,” films on the Palestinian people’s struggle against the Israeli occupation, the defence of the Palestinian cause and the various violations committed in the occupied territories will be screened. The cycle started with the screening of Syrian film “Damascus Aleppo” of Basel Alkhatib.

Works from different countries, such as Tunisia, Algeria, Iran, Lebanon, Palestine and Syria will also be screened.

This inaugural edition is organised on January 20-26 at the Culture City at the initiative of the Tunisian Film Library, in partnership with the Lebanese Association of Arts (Rissalat).