Sometimes the ones we love are also our tormentors. Based on the book "The Songs" by A. Al Asfahani and the eponymous novel by Andre Miguel, this is the story of the desert poet Quays who is unable to "love silently".

Ever since childhood, Qays has been in love with Layla, whose feelings are reciprocal. Qays, being a poet, sings of his love, crying it out joyously far and wide - just the sort of proclamation which was strictly condemned at the time.
Despite this unacceptable affront which Qays, son of a nobleman has made toward layla, her father does not frown upon their marriage. nevertheless, Qays did indeed dare, to sing out in public of his passion and lust for this man's daughter...Layla's father therefore forbids Qays to see her again, and in his fervor sought and obtained the Prince's spermission to have him killed if he persisted.

A film by Taïeb Louhichi

Tunisia / Algeria, 1989, Feature, 1hr30' - col. - 35 mm, Original Version (Arabic) subtitled in French and in English, dubbed in Italian

starring Mouna Noureddine, Safy Boutella, Abderrahmane al-Rachi, Fatma ben Saidane, Tarık Akan, Anca Nicola, Hichem Rostom

French title: Layla, Ma Raison
Length: 90'
Genre: Drama
Country: Tunisia, Algeria
Format: 35mm colour, Digital Beta and Beta SP

Director / Scriptwriter: Taïeb Louhichi
Director of photography: Ramon Suarez
Sound engineers: Riadh Thabet, Faouzi Thabet
Music: Egisto Macchi
Setting: Mohsen Rais
Costumes: Liliane El Hachemi
Editor: Moufida Tlatli
Producer: Taïeb Louhichi
Executive Producer: Lotfi Layouni

Cast
Mouna Noureddine
Safy Boutella
Abderrahmane al-Rachi
Fatma ben Saidane
Tarık Akan
Anca Nicola
Hichem Rostom

Production
Tanit Production (Tunisia)
C.A.A.I.C. - E.N.P.A. (Algeria)


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IT

Un amore impossibile sullo sfondo del deserto della Tunisia. Il film è tratto da un'antica leggenda in versi del VII secolo, "Majun et Layla" (Layla e il folle). Folle d'amore infatti diventa Qays e decide di cantare a tutti i suoi sentimenti per Layla. I genitori dell'amata, profondamente indignati dal comportamento immorale del giovane, si oppongono al matrimonio e Qays, perduta ogni speranza di riavere la donna amata, comincia a vagare per il deserto rifiutando ogni contatto con il mondo.

di Taïeb Louhichi

Tunisia, 1989, col. - 90' - 35 mm, Versione originale (arabo) con sottotitoli in italiano

Source:
www.coeweb.org/catalogo_film/?cat=PAESI%20ARABI&sotcat=&tematica=