March 29, 2022

Mizna Film Series Spring 2022: Restored/Recovered: Algerian Filmmaking in Diaspora

by Lamia Abukhadra | in Film

The Mizna Film Series is a monthly selection of programs, marking our first venture into year-round curated film programming. While our annual Film Fest focuses primarily on the works of contemporary artists, the Mizna Film Series provides a space to expand our regular film programming to include screenings, critical essays, filmmaker interviews, and discussions exploring revolutionary forms of cinema from the SWANA region and beyond. This series is presented virtually and in-person in collaboration with Trylon Cinema. Learn more about the Mizna Film Series here.

The spring 2022 season of the Mizna Film Series highlights recently restored works by Algerian filmmakers in diaspora. Curated by Mizna’s Film Programming Coordinator Ahmed Abdulmageed, the two-month segment presents films produced during the global leftist movements in the 1970s. This selection celebrates Algerian filmmakers and their collaborators, Farouk Beloufa, Djouhra Abouda, and Alain Bonnamy, who captured the political complexities of the moment, as well as the rhythmic and aesthetic make-up of their diasporas, by breaking away from traditional filmic forms.

April features Nahla (1979)––the only directorial endeavor of Farouk Beloufa––which follows an Algerian journalist in 1975 Beirut just as the Lebanese Civil War begins. In May, the series presents a retrospective of experimental films by Djouhra Abouda and Alain Bonnamy, whose works blend an avant-garde style with political activism.

As always, the Mizna Film Series will screen monthly at the Trylon Cinema in Minneapolis, MN on the fourth Wednesday of each month. Each film will also screen online at our virtual cinema. Online screenings will be available to view worldwide.

Tickets + Passes

In-person Trylon tickets: $10
Virtual Tickets: Pay what you can, $5 suggested donation
Virtual Pass (3-pack) : $20

UPCOMING

May 25-29, 2022: DJOUHRA ABOUDA + ALAIN BONNAMY RETROSPECTIVE

In May we highlight the work of the duo Djouhra Abouda and Alain Bonnamy. The films produced by Abouda and Bonnamy pushed the purely formal boundaries of experimental cinema in a combination of avant-garde aesthetics and political activism. Working in Paris, Djouhra Abouda and Alain Bonnamy made two experimental short films Algérie Couleurs (1972) and Ciné-Cité (1974) and a feature film, Ali in Wonderland (1976). All three films were recently restored and digitized.

In-person screening of the Djouhra Abouda & Alain Bonnamy Retrospective takes place at Trylon Cinema on Wednesday, May 25, 2022 at 7pm.

The Djouhra Abouda & Alain Bonnamy Retrospective is available virtually WORLDWIDE May 26–29, 2022.

PAST

APRIL 27–MAY 1, 2022: NAHLA (dir. Farouk Beloufa, 1979)

In April, we present the only directorial endeavor of Farouk Beloufa, a feature film which follows a group of leftist friends in Beirut during the beginning of the Lebanese Civil War. An exploration of war through journalism, photography, and cinematography, Nahla is a political film and a love story. Starring Yasmine Khlat and featuring a soundtrack composed by renowned Lebanese musician Ziad Rahbani.

In-person screening of Nahla takes place at Trylon Cinema on Wednesday, April 27, 2022 at 7pm.

Nahla is available virtually WORLDWIDE April 28–May 1, 2022.