IT
| Title | AMAL |
|---|---|
| Original Title | AMAL |
| Movie Type | |
| Genre | |
| Section | |
| Country | Belgium |
| Production Year | 2023 |
| Movie Length | 107' |
| Director | |
| Screenplay | |
| Cast | Babetida Sadjo, Catherine Salée, Ethelle Gonzalez-Lardued, Fabrizio Rongione, Johan Heldenberg, Kenza Benbouchta, Lubna Azabal, Mehdy Khachachi |
| Director of Photography | |
| Editor | |
| Casting | Céline De Waele, Mathias Sourbron |
| Production Designer | Jean-Pierre Fargeas |
| Costume Designer | Audrey Wilmotte |
| Makeup | Catherine Clarinval |
| Produced by | Genevieve Lemal |
| Production | |
| International Distribution | |
| Festival Contact |
AMAL
Amal, a teacher in a Brussels school, encourages her pupils to cultivate a love of reading and freedom of expression, even if it means putting herself in danger. Her daring teaching practices will change her pupils’ and family circle lives.
Director's Bio
Jawad Rhalib is known for his social and committed cinema. His realistic style centers on observation and uncompromising denunciation of the flaws and the political, economic and religious ravages on our societies. Among his works: fictions like 7, RUE DE LA FOLIE (MADNESS) a black comedy which explores the dictatorship of the patriarchy, INSOUMISE (REBELLIOUS GIRL) which deals with the revolt of the seasonal workers as for the exploitation of the landowners, BOOMERANG a black comedy on immigration candidates and smugglers…and documentary feature films such as EL EJIDO, THE LAW OF PROFIT, THE DAMNED OF THE SEA, WHEN ARABS DANCED and FADMA, EVEN ANTS HAVE WINGS.
Director's Note
“In my recent documentary films, AU TEMPS OÙ LES ARABES DANSAIENT and THE PINK REVOLUTION, I deeply explored themes of fear, resilience, and the relentless struggle for freedom of expression. Now, with AMAL, my latest endeavor, I seek to extend and deepen these themes, focusing on the alarming rise of fundamentalism in our daily lives and the pervasive influence of theology in various facets of our society. As a Belgian filmmaker of Arab and Muslim origin who has called North Brussels home for over thirty years, I’ve borne witness to a concerning transformation in our public space. Beyond the noticeable cultural and sartorial changes, there’s a palpable shift in mentalities, marked by a significant rise in fundamentalism. It’s essential to clarify that the intention is not to target my parents’ religion but to address the complex issue of Islamism and its deviations.
AMAL is not just a film; it is a distinct voice in the narrative, steering clear of sensationalism, emotional exaggeration, or provocative elements. Drawing from my experiences engaging with 5,000 students during screenings of AU TEMPS OÙ LES ARABES DANSAIENT, particularly in so-called “sensitive” neighborhoods, the film seeks to shed light on the profound impact of fundamentalism within educational institutions.
Through “AMAL,” I aim to illuminate the challenges faced by educators, with a particular focus on Amal, a protagonist dedicated to teaching tolerance, acceptance, and the appreciation of art and literature. The narrative unfolds as she courageously confronts the encroachment of fundamentalist elements within the school, unveiling a power struggle that not only affects educational content but also shapes the lives and choices of the students.”