Harka by Lotfy Nathan will show in Luxembourg theatres from January 2023. A preview of the film will take place on 10 January at Ciné Utopia.  Tarantula Distribution

Harka by Lotfy Nathan will show in Luxembourg theatres from January 2023. A preview of the film will take place on 10 January at Ciné Utopia.  Tarantula Distribution

Lotfy Nathan’s acclaimed film Harka will be released in Luxembourg theatres from 11 January in the original Arabic version with French and English subtitles. The plot is inspired by Mohamed Bouazizi’s self-immolation that sparked the Tunisian revolution and Arab Spring between 2010 and 2011.

Harka has been touring festivals around the world since its world premiere in Cannes and will be showing in Luxembourg cinemas from next year. French-Tunisian lead actor Adam Bessa won the best performance award in the Cannes Film Festival's “Un certain regard” selection for his role in the film, for her star turn in another grand duchy co-production, Corsage.

Director Lotfy Nathan, who is of Egyptian origins but grew up in the United States, in 2013 received the HBO Emerging Artist of the Year award for the documentary 12 O'Clock Boys, which was selected by more than 50 international festivals.

“I wanted Harka to resonate across all cultures, while being imbued with the unique spirit of Tunisia. Ali, the young hero of Harka, is the child of a revolution that holds promise beyond his reach. His challenge is to provide for his family. It is a universal pride to succeed in doing so, and on the contrary, a shame, utter powerlessness, and a feeling of emptiness when one fails,” says Lotfy Nathan in an interview.

Harka, which translates as “burn” is also a Tunisian slang for a migrant who crosses the Mediterranean illegally by boat. It tells the story of Ali, a young man who sells petrol on the Tunisian black market and struggles to support his family following the death of his father, which in turn dashes his hopes of leaving the country for Europe.

“I was touched by the character of Ali, the mystery that emanates from him, his independence of spirit and the very strong relationship he has with his sisters… The role required more psychological preparation than physical…” says Bessa.

The film was produced by Cinenovo (France) and co-produced by Tarantula Luxembourg, Wrong Men (Belgium) and Cinétéléfilms (Tunisia). It received support from the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg's National Support Fund for Audiovisual Production, the Belgian Tax Shelter, and television channels, ARTE and ZDF. It is the first feature film to be shot in Sidi Bouzid, where the Tunisian Revolution started.

The film's entire post-production was carried out in Luxembourg at the Philophon Studios in Bettembourg. 

A preview of the film will take place on 10 January at Ciné Utopia.