Mehdi M. Barsaoui (born 23 May 1984), is a Tunisian filmmaker.[1] He is best known as the director of the critically acclaimed feature film A Son (2019) and shorts Sideways (2010) and Bobby (2014).[2][3]
Mehdi Barsaoui | |
|---|---|
| Born | Mehdi M. Barsaoui May 23, 1984 |
| Nationality | Tunisian |
| Alma mater | Higher Institute of Multimedia Arts of Tunis DAMS |
| Occupation(s) | Director, screenwriter, cinematographer, poet |
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Notable work | A Son |
Personal life
editHe was born on 23 May 1984 in Tunis, Tunisia. He graduated from the Higher Institute of Multimedia Arts of Tunis (ISAMM). After graduation, he moved to Italy and completed his training and graduated from DAMS in Bologna.[4]
Career
editDuring the life in Italy, he directed three short films: Sideways (2010), Bobby (2014) and We Are Just Fine Like This (2016). All three short film received critical acclaim and then selected in several international festivals where they won several prizes. The short We Are Just Fine Like This won the Best Muhr Short award at the Dubai International Film Festival.[5]
In 2019, he made his directorial debut with the film, Un fils (A Son) which was produced as a collaborative work of Tunisia, France, Lebanon and Qatar. The film had its premiere at the Venice International Film Festival.[6] The film received official selection at the Venice Film Festival 2019, where Sami Bouajila won the award for best actor in the Orizzonti section. At the Filmfest Hamburg, the film won the NDR Young Talent Award. The film also received critical acclaim.[7] In 2020, the film won Prabhat International Award at Pune International Film Festival (PIFF).[8]
Filmography
edit| Year | Film | Role | Genre | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Sideways | Director, editor, writer | Short film | |
| 2012 | It Was Better Tomorrow | Editor | Documentary | |
| 2012 | Widjène | Editor | Documentary | |
| 2013 | Le Challat de Tunis | First assistant director | Documentary | |
| 2014 | Bobby | Director, editor, writer | Short film | |
| 2016 | We Are Just Fine Like This | Director, editor, writer | Short film | |
| 2017 | 35 MM | Director, editor, writer | Short film | |
| 2017 | Beauty and the Dogs | First assistant director | Film | |
| 2018 | Omertà | Editor | Short film | |
| 2019 | A Son | Director, writer | Film |
References
edit- ^ "Mehdi M. Barsaoui: 1er assistant réalisateur, Assistant réalisateur, Monteur". allocine. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
- ^ "BIK ENEICH - UN FILS: Orizzonti". labiennale. 13 July 2019. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
- ^ "'A Son' ('Bik Eneich'/'Un fils'): Film Review". Hollywood Reporter. 31 August 2019. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
- ^ "Mehdi M. Barsaoui". IFFR. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
- ^ "Venice Film Festival 2019: 'A Son' raises the issues of modern-day Tunisia". The National News. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
- ^ "MEHDI M. BARSAOUI: DIRECTOR, TUNISIA". Festival Marrakech. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
- ^ "Film Review: 'A Son'". Variety. 7 September 2019. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
- ^ "18th edition of PIFF: Tunisian family drama a Son wins best film award". 17 January 2020.