Just like the American Far From Heaven by Todd Haynes, Satin rouge from Tunisia, which has already won many prizes, is clearly influenced by the melodramas of Douglas Sirk from the 1950s. Yet the musicals from the golden age of Egyptian cinema ? the 1940s and 50s ? are the most important source of inspiration for this film. Satin rouge rakes an intelligent approach to social issues, while the film is also full of sensual, physical tension so characteristic of the dance film.The story is about a surprising turn in the life of the young Tunisian widow Lilia, played by the fantastic Palestinian actress Hiam Abbass, who lives in Paris. Lilia earns her living as a seamstress. When she suspects her stubborn teenage daughter of having an affair with a nightclub musician and sets out to investigate, she finds herself in an unknown, exotic world full of Rubens?like belly dancers and nocturnal fortune hunters. She makes friends with one of the dancers. When she finally climbs on the stage herself, she quickly grows to become the audience’s darling and the drummer’s favourite. Now she has started dressing differently, her melancholy mood and sense of loneliness starts to change too.
Film details
- Countries of production
- France, Tunisia
- Year
- 2002
- Festival edition
- IFFR 2003
- Length
- 89"
- Medium/Format
- 35mm
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