23° TORINO FILM FESTIVAL

Bab' aziz

The Prince that Contemplated his Soul

Country: Netherlands

Year: 2005

Duration: 98'

Bab'Aziz, an elderly Dervish, and his niece Ishtar must cross the desert to participate at the big Dervish reunion that is held every 30 years. The long desert crossing, through the immensit` of the Sahara, brings them in contact with other characters, including Osman, who is searching for a beautiful girl he had met earlier; Zaid, who can enchant listeners with his singing; and a prince who has abandoned his country and his riches for the life of a wanderer. But maybe these encounters are only ancient legends and fables of the desert, handed down since the dawn of time.

FILM DIRECTOR

Biography

film director

Nacer Khemir

Nacer Khemir (Tunisia, 1948) is an author, poet, painter, sculptor and director. Over 20 years ago he told A Thousand and One Nights at the Chotaill’s Théâtre National and since then he has dedicated himself to handing down, transmitting and safeguarding the ancient culture and oral traditions that represent a fundamental element of his land. He received numerous recognitions for his film Les Baliseurs du désert (1984) and Le Collier perdu de la colombe (1990) received the Special Jury Prize at the Festival of Locarno.

FILMOGRAFIA

Le mulet (cm, anim., 1975), L’Ogresse (1977), Le Baliseurs du désert (1984), Le Collier perdu de la colombe (1990), À la recherche des Milles et une nuits (1991), Bab’Aziz (Le prince qui contemplait son âme, 2004).