The Closure of Ciné Jamil: A Loss for Tunisian Culture
By Hamma HANACHI
The 1980s saw the emergence of new neighborhoods, chic buildings, and the proliferation of Menazahs, with El Menzah 6 standing out for its commercial center and numerous shops. However, the area lacked cultural spaces. This void was partially filled with the opening of an art gallery and a cinema, Ciné Jamil, which brought joy to locals and film enthusiasts.
The commercial gallery's hall led to a chic gallery, where film posters mingled with the faces of young spectators. The cinema's intimate setting attracted audiences of all generations. This "lively" neighborhood cinema hosted a loyal community of students, teachers, and film buffs, with the Faculty of Letters just a stone's throw away.
Recently, Ciné Jamil closed its doors permanently, leaving behind a trail of regret and bitterness. For its regulars, the loss is more than just a darkened theater – it's a cultural hub, a meeting place, and a source of passion and inspiration. The cinema was a refuge where students could escape into the world of dreams between classes or after exams.
The harsh economic reality, combined with the declining interest of young people in cinema, ultimately led to the theater's demise. Lack of funding, subsidies, and audience support made it impossible for the cinema to compete with thematic TV channels, streaming platforms, and newly installed multiplexes in suburban supermarkets.
Ciné Jamil is now a thing of the past, a memory to be cherished. The Italian film "Cinema Paradiso" by Guiseppe Tornatore comes to mind, evoking nostalgia for a bygone era of cinema. Unfortunately, Ciné Jamil is just one of many theaters that have closed in Tunisia.
The closure of a cinema is not just the loss of a business – it's the erosion of collective memory, a vibrant community, and a breath of fresh air for young people. It's likely that the building will soon be transformed into a café, pizzeria, or fast-food joint, a commerce immune to crisis.
For those who laughed, debated, loved, or dreamed at Ciné Jamil, the theater will remain a cultural symbol, a reminder of an era when going to the cinema was an act of curiosity and freedom.
H.H.
