7.4/10
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6 user 13 critic

The Silences of the Palace (1994)

Samt el qusur (original title)
| Drama | 7 September 1994 (France)
The Silences of the Palace Poster
As she grows up, Alia (the daughter of housemaid Khedija) learns the secrets of the peaceful palace where she and her mother live.

Director:

Moufida Tlatli

Writers:

Nouri Bouzid, Moufida Tlatli

Stars:

Amel Hedhili, Najia Ouerghi, Hind Sabri | See full cast & crew »
Reviews
7 wins. See more awards »

Photos

See all 8 photos »
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Edit

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Amel Hedhili Amel Hedhili ... Khedija
Najia Ouerghi Najia Ouerghi ... Khalti Hadda
Hind Sabri ... Young Alia (as Hend Sabri)
Fatima Ben Saïdane Fatima Ben Saïdane ... Mroubia
Zahira Ben Ammar Zahira Ben Ammar ... Habiba
Sabah Bouzouita Sabah Bouzouita ... Schema
Sonia Meddeb Sonia Meddeb ... La Jneina
Hélène Catzaras Hélène Catzaras ... Fella
Ghalia Lacroix Ghalia Lacroix ... Adult Alia
Michket Krifa Michket Krifa ... Memia
Hichem Rostom Hichem Rostom ... Si Bechir
Kamel Touati Kamel Touati ... Houssine
Kamel Fazaa Kamel Fazaa ... Sid' Ali
Sami Bouajila ... Lofti
Hatem Berrabeh Hatem Berrabeh ... Salim
See full cast »
Edit

Storyline

As Alia, the daughter of a beautiful servant Khedija, grows up in the Kings Palace at the end of the French colonial rule in Tunisia, she realizes the sexual favours required of her mother and other servants. Written by Will Gilbert

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

servant | tunisia | f rated | title directed by female | oppression | See All (9) »

Genres:

Drama

Certificate:

See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

Add content advisory for parents »
Edit

Details

Country:

Tunisia | France

Language:

Arabic | French

Release Date:

7 September 1994 (France) See more »

Also Known As:

The Silences of the Palace See more »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Canal Horizons,Cinétéléfilms,Mat Films See more »
Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

(Buenos Aires Festival Internacional de Cine Independiente)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1
See full technical specs »

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User Reviews

 
Sadness and misery of helpless women nicely depicted by a talented woman film maker
10 September 2008 | by FilmCriticLalitRao – See all my reviews

Let us begin by discussing this film's title "The Silences of the Palace".This catchy title is an absolute misnomer as in real terms there are no silences in the palaces.Most of the palaces featured in the film are full of sounds but a feeling of silence is deliberately implied as there is no one willing to hear these sounds.Moufida Tlatli is an important name in the realm of both Arab as well as Tunisian cinema.She finished her cinema studies at famous French film institute IDHEC.Many famous Arab films bear her name as she did editing work for many prominent Arab film makers.Her debut film "The Silences of the Palace" is about the last days of Tunisian aristocracy.It was a time of confusion as Tunisian rulers were worried about their fate as the nation was looking forward to an imminent freedom.As portrayed in this film the plight of the common people including women has not changed as they are being continually forced to remain in silence.Moufida Tlatli dedicated this film to her mother who was a constant source of inspiration to her while she was drafting this film.If a list of best Arab films is drafted,this film by Moufida Tlatli will surely be there.
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