Zohra | |
---|---|
Restored version of the film | |
Directed by | Albert Samama Chikly |
Written by | Haydée Chikly |
Produced by | Albert Samama Chikly |
Starring | Haydée Chikly |
Running time | 35 minutes |
Country | Tunisia |
Language | French intertitles |
Zohra is a 1922 silent 35 mm short film from Tunisia by Albert Samama ('Chikly').[1][2][3][4] It was the first indigenous North African film production.[5] The movie script was written by Chikly's daughter, Haydée Chikly, who also edited and starred as the key female protagonist in the film.[6][7][8][9]
The plot of the movie evolves around a shipwrecked young French woman, who is rescued by Beduins. She lives with the Beduin tribe for a time. She is later abducted by bandits, but is rescued by a French aviator and reunites with her family.[10] Tribal customs are displayed in detail in the film.[1][11] The movie is seen as an example of the 'mysterious Orient' genre.[3]
The film was screened at the Omnia Pathé cinema in Tunis, and enjoyed a degree of success.[12]