The Man Behind the Microphone
Qumra Projects
Claire Belhassine / Feature Documentary / Tunisia, United Kingdom, Qatar / 2017
In Arabic, English, French / English subtitles
Interests: Music, History, Family, Identity, Creative Documentary
Rated: Mature subject matter. Not suitable for minors. Individuals under the age of 18 are not admitted into cinemas.
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Synopsis
Hedi Jouini is the most popular musical star in Tunisian history, known as the “Frank Sinatra of Tunisia”. His songs continue to inspire revolutionaries and conservatives alike, striking at the heart of the post-colonial social and political upheaval of Tunisia and its continuing search for identity in the wake of the Arab Spring. But why did he keep his fame hidden from his family? What dark secrets did he keep from the nation that worshipped him? ‘The Man Behind the Microphone’ reveals the incredible story behind a man and his music, and offers fascinating insight into Tunisia’s cultural evolution. The film builds a profound portrait of the godfather of Tunisian music – father to a nation yet not to his family.
About the Director
Claire Belhassine holds a BA in Drama and Film Arts from London University and a Master’s degree in Filmmaking from the London Film School. She worked extensively in the British media as a writer and stylist for Condé Nast publications, ‘Dazed and Confused’ magazine and ‘Entertainment News’. After completing her studies, she worked as a producer-director in the corporate world, with clients including Sony, MTV and Deutsche Bank. She was selected as part of the new writers development team on Channel 4’s popular teen series ‘Hollyoaks’, and also worked as a script reader for Channel 4. ‘The Man Behind the Microphone’ is her first feature as a director.
Credits
- Director
- Claire Belhassine
- Producer
- Mike Lerner