Thursday 3 Dec 6.30pm at Ciné Lumière – Book Now!

Morocco, 1913. After being kidnapped and made into a slave, Oud Al Ward, a gifted luth player, is sold on to a wealthy musician. A luth player himself, her new master is taken by her rare talent and beauty, and decides to giver her private music lessons. Encouraged to play in public, both her talent and fame flourish. The special treatment she enjoys triggers the anger and jealousy of the master’s wives. At first kind and attentive, he himself slowly becomes obsessed with Oud Al Ward, his own jealousy as well as desire, overtaking his pride at his pupil’s progress with devastating consequences.

Director: Lahcen Zinoun
Writer: Hisham Lasri, Lahcen Zinoun, Ghislaine DeLion
Cast: Mohamed Miftah, Sanaa laoui, Hanane Zouhdi, Touria Jabrane
Country: Morocco
Year: 2007
Runtime: 90 min

Monday 30 Nov 6.30pm at Ciné Lumière

TWO-FOR-ONE TICKET OFFER FOR THIS FILM!

Take advantage of this unique offer to see one of the great classics of Arab and African cinema. Also don’t miss this opportunity to chat with the film’s director Ferid Boughedir!

This offer applies to standard price tickets only purchased at the box office or by phone. This offer is not accessible through the online booking system.

HALFAOUNE is screened on Monday 30 Nov 6.30pm at Ciné Lumière

Call now 020 7073 1350

This film tells the story of a thirteen year old boy’s discovery of his sexual desires. Noura has been growing up in the sheltered and sensual world of women like all boys prior to reaching puberty. His physical awakening is further complicated by his removal from the tender world of women, and his entering of the rigid society of men. Set in the colourful neighbourhood of Halfaouine in the 1970’s and punctuated by humour, this complex adjustment is beautifully and sensitively rendered throughout, with a great performance by Selim Boughedir, the director’s own nephew.

Director: Ferid Boughedir
Writer: Ferid Boughedir
Cast: Selim Boughedir, Mustapha Adouani, Rabia Ben Abdallah
Country: Tunisia
Year: 1990
Runtime: 98 min

Sunday 29 Nov 6.30pm at Ciné Lumière – Book Now!

The young farmer Abdelwahad has been the head of the family since his father’s death. Struggling to feed his seven brothers, and discouraged by the lack of prospects, he becomes attracted by the offer of a relative to go and work in France. Dreaming of a better life abroad, he awaits the document which will allow him to travel. His mother, a grounded woman of strong character, refuses to see her eldest son leave and tries to dissuade him from emigrating. El Maanouni skilfully invites us into the slow unfolding of conflicts caused by traditions as well as emigration. A wonderful and poignant film.

Director: Ahmed El Maanouni
Writer:
Cast:
Country: Morocco
Year: 1978
Runtime: 89 min

Saturday 28 Nov 6.30pm at Ciné Lumière – UK Première – Book Now!

Amal Setta and Hicham Bahloul in Burned Hearts

Amin’s uncle is dying. He returns hurriedly to Fes in the hope of freeing himself from the pain inflicted to him by the man who brought him up. The confrontation between the two is not what Amin expected. Every corner of the city reminds him of his difficult childhood, and the film cleverly interweaves his memories and internal struggles with the lives of those around him. Revealing with subtlety conflicts in contemporary Moroccan’s society, Burned Hearts also features an excellent soundtrack.

Director: Ahmed El Maanouni
Writer: Ahmed El Maanouni
Cast:
Country: Morocco
Year: 2007
Runtime: 84 min

Friday 27 November 4.00pm at Ciné Lumière – Book Now!

The group Nass El Ghiwane was described by Martin Scorsese as the ‘Rolling Stones’ of Africa, and this film, restored by Scorsese’s World Cinema Foundation in 2007, is a rare and enthralling document.

Director: Ahmed El Maanouni
Writer: Ahmed El Maanouni
Cast:
Country: Morocco
Year: 1981 (restored in 2008)
Runtime: 84 min

Thu 26 Nov 6.30pm at Ciné Lumière – Book Now!

Set in 1940s Tunisia, Zakia is a sexually frustrated woman who after giving birth was given the seed of the Kochkhach (opium) to calm her nerves. When the opium addicts her, those around her snub her. A moving exploration of the hopes, desires of the upper classes of the time.

Director: Selma Baccar
Writer: Selma Baccar
Cast: Rabiaa Ben Abdallah, Raoul Ben Amour
Country: Tunisia
Year: 2006
Runtime: 100 min