MEI invites you to a screening of Elyes Baccar’s award winning film, Tunis by Night, which offers an intimate look at a contemporary family trying to adjust to the rapidly evolving landscape in pre-revolution Tunisia. The screening will be followed by a discussion with the Director, Elyes Baccar and Columbia lecturer, Dr. Rym Bettaieb.

About the Film: Tunis by Night follows Youssef, who after more than two decades working for Tunisia’s national radio, is on his way to retirement when he is viciously cut off broadcasting during the last episode of his program. Youssef’s family portrays the different lifestyles in Tunisia, as each member of his family suffers from major conflicts and Youssef is engulfed by a city he no longer recognizes. Tunis by Night made its world premiere at the 39th Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF) within the Official Section for Feature and Documentary Films: International Competition, where its lead, Raouf Ben Amor, won the Best Actor Award. Film is in Arabic and French with subtitles in English.

About the Director: Elyes is an award-winning Tunisian director, screenwriter and producer of feature films and documentaries who studied Directing at the French Film School (CLCF). He produced and directed several award winning feature documentaries such as Lost in Tunisia, Pakistan 7.6 and Cairo 30th. In 2006 he directed She & He, his first feature length film which was featured in international film festivals. Rouge Parole, his feature documentary about the Tunisian revolution, was acclaimed by international critics and won several awards. Tunis by night, his second feature film, won several international awards such as Best Actor Award in Cairo International Film festival.

The event will be held in Schermerhorn Hall, Room 501 .