Harka (film)

Last updated

Harka
Harka (2022) poster.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed byLotfy Nathan
Written byLotfy Nathan
Produced by
  • Julie Viez
  • Lotfy Nathan
  • Alex Hughes
  • Riccardo Maddalosso
  • Eugene Kotlyarenko
  • Nicole Romano
  • Tariq Merhab
  • Maurice Fadida
Starring
  • Adam Bessa
  • Salima Maatoug
  • Ikbal Harbi
  • Najib Allagui
CinematographyMaximilian Pittner
Edited by
  • Sophie Corra
  • Thomas Niles
Music by Eli Keszler
Production
companies
Distributed byDulac Distribution (France)
Release dates
  • 19 May 2022 (2022-05-19)(Cannes)
  • 2 November 2022 (2022-11-02)(France)
  • 11 January 2023 (2023-01-11)(Luxembourg)
Running time
90 minutes [1]
Countries
LanguageArabic [2]

Harka is a 2022 internationally co-produced drama film, written and directed by Lotfy Nathan, in his narrative directorial debut, inspired by Mohamed Bouazizi's self-immolation that sparked the Tunisian revolution and Arab Spring in 2010 and 2011. It stars Adam Bessa, Salima Maatoug, Ikbal Harbi and Najib Allagui.

Contents

It had its world premiere at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival on 19 May 2022, in the Un Certain Regard section, where lead actor Adam Bessa won the award for Best Performance. It was released theatrically in France by Dulac Distribution on 2 November 2022.

Plot

A young Tunisian man dreams of a better life and sells contraband petrol on the black market. When his father dies, he is left to take care of his two sisters, with eviction from their home looming.

Cast

Production

In July 2021, it was announced Adam Bessa had joined the cast of the film, with Lotfy Nathan directing from a screenplay he wrote. [5] The plot was inspired by Mohamed Bouazizi's self-immolation that sparked the Tunisian revolution and Arab Spring between 2010 and 2011. [6] The title "Harka" is translated as "burn", and it is also a Tunisian slang for a migrant who crosses the Mediterranean illegally by boat. [6]

Filming

Principal photography took place in Tunis and Sidi Bouzid in Tunisia. [4] Harka was the first feature film to be shot in the city of Sidi Bouzid, where the Tunisian Revolution started. [6] Filming took place in Tunisia during the COVID-19 pandemic. [4] Although there were no official lockdowns in the country back then, a political crisis started a few weeks into the shoot and the army removed the government from power, provoking street protests. [4] The film's cast and crew were caught in a demonstration while filming at a bus station. [4] Director Lotfy Nathan comes from a documentary background and incorporated elements of what was happening on the streets at the time into Harka, even casting non-professionals actors in some of the key roles. [4] A scene featuring a protest on the streets was filmed entirely with non-professionals. [4]

Release

The film had its world premiere at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival on 19 May 2022, in the Un Certain Regard section where lead actor Adam Bessa was awarded ex aequo the Best Performance Prize. [7] [8] Prior to, Dulac Distribution acquired French distribution rights to the film, [9] and released it on theaters on 2 November 2022. [2] It was released in Luxembourg on 11 January 2023. [6]

Reception

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 100% of 5 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 10/10. [10]

Awards and nominations

YearAward / Film FestivalCategoryRecipient(s)Result
2022 Cannes Film Festival Un Certain Regard Lotfy NathanNominated [11]
Un Certain Regard Award for Best PerformanceAdam BessaWon [8]
Saint-Jean-de-Luz Film FestivalBest Male PerformanceWon [12]
Red Sea International Film Festival Best Feature FilmLotfy NathanNominated [13]
Yusr Award for Best DirectorWon [14]
Best ActorAdam BessaWon [14]
2023 Lumières Award Best First Film Lotfy NathanNominated [15]
Best Male Revelation Adam BessaNominated [15]
Paris Film Critics AssociationBest Young ActorNominated [16]

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References

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