While recent Tunisian cinema has largely focused on themes such as illegal immigration, terrorism, and political freedoms, director Walid Mattar’s lat
While recent Tunisian cinema has largely focused on themes such as illegal immigration, terrorism, and political freedoms, director Walid Mattar’s latest film, Kantra, shifts the lens to other pressing threats facing youth—namely, the allure of quick wealth, drug abuse, and the impact of the internet.
Competing in the Horizons of Arab Cinema section at the 45th Cairo International Film Festival, Kantra is Mattar’s second feature film, following a string of short films. The movie stars Sarah Hanachi, Saif Omrane, and Mohamed Amine Hamzaoui in key roles.
A Story of Dreams and Desperation
The narrative begins in a working-class neighborhood in the northern suburbs of Tunis, where Tarek, a rising rapper nicknamed “Tita,” dreams of producing a music video to release on YouTube. He enlists his friend Fouad, a photographer and aspiring documentary filmmaker with ambitions of shooting a film about stray dogs but struggling to secure funding. Safaa, a jewelry designer and Instagram influencer, joins the duo as the model for Tarek’s music video.
During a shoot at sea, their lives take a dramatic turn when a large crate collides with their boat. Upon opening it, they discover it is filled with cocaine worth millions. A heated debate ensues: Should they turn it over to the police, discard it, or exploit the opportunity to make a fortune?
After a restless night, the trio chooses to sell the drugs, embarking on a perilous journey. Unfamiliar with the drug trade, they find their first leads during a night out at a high-end disco in a wealthy southern suburb. Here, they meet a group of affluent drug users and begin making money.
Their nightly trips between the northern and southern suburbs across the bridge connecting the two areas become a metaphor for their journey—from dreams left behind to the illusions of quick success. But their luck runs out when a janitor at the disco notices their suspicious activities and alerts her brother, a security guard at the same venue. Together, the siblings begin blackmailing Safaa, threatening to expose her involvement.
When Tita overhears part of a threatening phone call, he mistakenly believes Safaa has been arrested by the police. In a panic, he flushes the remaining cocaine down the toilet. Safaa escapes the blackmailers but is tracked to her home, where she is robbed of all her earnings. The security guard then confronts Tita, discovering he has destroyed the drugs, and takes all of Tita’s cash. Fouad, on the other hand, wastes his share of the drug money on wealthy acquaintances he believed would help him break into the film industry.
A Harsh Reality Check
Their illusion of quick wealth crumbles, leaving the trio with nothing but harsh lessons and the realization that their dreams have been derailed by greed and desperation. Each of them is forced to confront the dreams they abandoned and find a way to rebuild their lives.
Behind the Scenes and Themes
Tunisian rapper Mohamed Amine Hamzaoui, who plays Tita, revealed during a post-screening Q&A that he was drawn to the film’s concept from the start. “The characters reflect the reality of many young people across the Arab world. Everyone wants to make quick money without considering the consequences, morals, or risks involved,” Hamzaoui said.
Hamzaoui also contributed to the film’s music and songs, which play a crucial role in the storytelling, highlighting the contrast between social classes and the aspirations of youth.
Director Walid Mattar praised his cast’s performances, noting their ability to authentically embody their characters. He also acknowledged the challenges of shooting most of the film at night, which added to the production’s complexity but also contributed to the film’s atmospheric tension.
Sarah Hannachi
A Reflection of Youth in the Arab World
Kantra is a poignant portrayal of the struggles faced by youth in the Arab world, offering a critique of the societal pressures that drive many toward risky shortcuts to success. By weaving together themes of class disparity, unfulfilled dreams, and the consequences of moral compromise, the film delivers a resonant and thought-provoking narrative.
Sari Albeder – Cairo International Film Festival 2024 #CIFF45
COMMENTS