Al Qantara

Frédéric Fichefet & 62' — 1997

Every summer, Europe’s hordes undertake their migration towards the South. Yet few are aware that throngs of others are also following the highway to the sun as thousands of North African families return to their countries of origin. Here in Belgium, Mokhtar gets ready for his trip to Morocco as he does every year. He has only one wish since his retirement: to return to his country forever. But he knows that, once again, he will miss his children after a few months and be obliged to come back. Back in Morocco, Aïcha has spent the summer in the house she bought with her husband. Since his death, she knows she won’t finish her days in this immigrant’s neighborhood, deserted the rest of the year. Today she is a stranger in Tangiers. Fatima travels between here and there. She dreams no doubt of a country that is two countries.

Belgium

Production: Les Films de Mai
Co-production: Artémis Productions, CBA, RTBF, ARTE
With the support of the Centre du Cinéma et de l’Audiovisuel de la Communauté française de Belgique et de la Loterie Nationale. Avec le soutien du Centre National de la Cinématographique (CNC). Avec la participation du Fonds d’Action Sociale – FAS.

Réalisation
Frédéric Fichefet
Scenario
Frédéric Fichefet
DOP
Arlette Girardot
Sound
Olivier Hespel
Image editor
Yvan Flasse et Frédéric Fichefet
Production
Les Films de Mai (Patrick Quinet)
Image Format
16mm
Sound Format
Stereo
BW/Colour
Color
Available subtitles
FR, EN
Festivals

1998:
Festival International du Film Francophone de Namur (FIFF), Belgium, 09/98
Cinemamed, Belgium, 11/98

1997:
Visions du Réel, Switzerland, 04/98 – Grand Prix

Awards and Mentions

Visions du Réel (Suisse) – Grand Prix 1998

Other films from Frédéric Fichefet

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