The Professor

Deeply insightful about the human-rights situation in Tunisia in the 70s, ‘Professor’ is a dramatisation of the events surrounding a university law instructor’s involvement with the government of President Habib Bourguiba. Appointed by the ruling party to defend the official position of its League of Human Rights during a period of tension between the government and the unions, Khalil Kalsaoui is having an extra-marital affair with one of his students. When she is arrested for her political views and opposition to authorities, Khalil attempts to defend her – and soon finds his career and personal life in jeopardy. Established director Mahmoud Ben Mahmoud echoes the deterioration of human rights in Tunisia under recently deposed President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, and in doing so demonstrates one of the main forces driving Tunisia’s revolution of 2011. Indeed, the film is itself a document of the revolution – shooting was repeatedly stopped during Ben Ali’s rule and could only be finished after the success of the revolution. (DTFF 2012)

Director:​ Mahmoud Ben Mahmoud

RT:​ 92 mins

Showing: ​May 31, 2013 / 8PM