The Silences of the Palace / Samt el qusur

Tunisia/France | 1994 | col | 127 mins | dir: Moufida Tlatli, with Amel Hedhili, Najia Ouerghi, Hend Sabri.

Moufida Tlatli’s magnificent debut focuses on a group of servant women confined in the palace of the country’s last princes during the final days of French colonial rule. The film effectively conveys the opulent and oppressive atmosphere of the palace, and the resilience of its servants. Fine performances, sumptuous mise-en-scene and haunting music, by Anouar Brahem, makes Silences… an exceptional work.

Followed by Q&A with dir. Moufida Tlatli

Sun 24 Feb | 2.00pm | cert. 12A | £7, conc. £5