Cinema in the Desert: Bringing Culture to Isolated Communities
In the small village of El Garâa, a makeshift screen was set up in the town square to showcase a unique cinematic experience. The audience, consisting mainly of children accompanied by their parents, sat on the ground to watch a screening of two short films, one Tunisian and one Italian, focusing on the Sahara, as well as a sand-based performance and stories told by local veteran Salah Sawii Marzougui.
A Region in Need of Cultural Enrichment
El Garâa is a small locality lacking basic amenities such as running water and electricity. Residents still use wood fires for cooking, and there is no hospital or school. The only educational institution is a single primary school classroom, and students must travel 150 km to Douz to attend college or high school. The palm grove and tourism are the sole sources of income for the inhabitants, and culture is virtually non-existent.
The Sahara International Film Festival: A Beacon of Hope
The Sahara International Film Festival, held in Ksar Ghilane, Kebili, aims to bring cultural enrichment to this isolated region. The festival organizers made a concerted effort to bring cinema to the village of El Garâa, providing a unique opportunity for citizens to participate in cultural events.
A Night to Remember
The makeshift screen was set up in the town square, and the audience, mostly children with their parents, experienced a unique cinematic event. Despite technical difficulties and multiple interruptions, the audience patiently waited and was rewarded with gifts and the promise of an animation workshop the next day under the shade of a tree.
A Voice for the Community
The villagers took advantage of the occasion to express their difficulties and appealed to the authorities to improve their living conditions, providing at least water and electricity to prevent them from abandoning their village. The Sahara Film Festival offered them a platform to voice their concerns and grievances.
The Power of Social Connection
The highlight of this 2nd edition of the festival is the social bond created in this isolated region, where infrastructure is precarious. This initiative is worthy of praise and encouragement, bringing culture and hope to a community in need.
By Neila GHARBI
