TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Country: France
Language: Arabic
Year: 1994
Running Time: 127 min
SYNOPSIS
The news that Prince Sid'Ali has died suddenly confronts 25-year-old Ali with her past again. During the funeral she visits the palace where she spent her childhood and adolescence and where her mother was a servant. She never knew her father - he may even have been the prince. As she wanders the deserted corridors, the images of her youth return, such as her forbidden friendship with Sarra, daughter of one of the princes, who taught Alia to love the lute. She also re-experiences the painful and silent quest for the identity of her father and remembers her mother, the brave and beautiful Khedija, who protected Alia against the furtive desires of the prince. THE SILENCES OF THE PALACE delicately reveals the lonely life of the women who were locked up for life in an Arab palace, half slaves, half mistresses.
CREDITS
Director Moufida Tlatli
Producer Ahmed Baha Eddine Attia
Producer Mohammed Tlatli
Producer Richard Magnien
Production Company Cinétéléfilms
Production Company Matfilms
Screenplay Moufida Tlatli
Cinematography Youssef Ben Youssef
Editor Moufida Tlatli
Set Designer Claude Bennys
Sound Faouzi Thabet
CAST
Amel Hedhili
Ghalia Lacroix
Hend Sabri
Kamel Fazaa
Najia Ouerghi
Sami Bouajila
ADDITIONAL INFO
Special Mention Camera d'Or Cannes, FIPRESCI Award & Audience Award Toronto, Grand Prix & Best Actress Carthago, Best First Film Chicago, Sutherland Film Award - BFI, Golden Tulip - Istanbul Film Festival
 
Moufida Tlatli  | director
Born in Tunisia. In 1968, she took her diploma from IDHEC, Paris. She worked as a scriptwriter and production manager with ORTF before becoming an editor on numerous films, including LA MEMOIRE FERTILE by Michel Khleifi and HALFAOUINE by Ferid Boughédir. THE SILENCES OF THE PALACE is her first feature as a writer-director.
Filmography
NADIA ET SARRA (2004)
THE SEASON OF MEN (2000)
THE SILENCES OF THE PALACE (1994)
 
TRAILERS
 
 
PUBLICITY & REVIEWS
AWARDS
Year Category Awarded By Award Result Award Recipient
1994 Critics Choice Toronto International Film Festival Winner Moufida Tlatli
1995 Best Film Istanbul International Film Festival Winner Moufida Tlatli
1995 Best Film Carthage Film Festival Winner Moufida Tlatli
1994 Golden Camera Cannes Film Festival Special Mention Moufida Tlatli
1995 Best Film British Film Institute Awards Winner Moufida Tlatli