The DVD Edition: A Classic of Arab Cinema Now Accessible
The DVD ofDunia (subtitledKiss Me Not on the Eyes) is an edition from the Swiss distributorTrigon-film, which specializes in world cinema. Released in 2009, this edition is part of theTrigon-film DVD-edition collection under number77. The film, directed by Jocelyne Saab in 2005, was produced by Catherine Dussart and Jocelyne Saab herself, with the support of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie.
Shot in Egypt and featuring renowned Egyptian actors –Hanan Turk,Mohamed Mounir,Fathi Abdelwahab,Aida Riad, andSawsan Badr –Dunia had a turbulent international career. Screened at the Cairo Festival in 2005, the film was quickly censored in Egypt due to its subversive subject matter. Its DVD release by Trigon helped introduce it to European audiences.
The Film: A Quest for Freedom in Contemporary Egypt
Dunia tells the story of a 23-year-old Egyptian woman who, after completing her literature studies, aspires to become a professional dancer. Her artistic quest is hindered by her inability to express her desire in a society where female sexuality is both fetishized and oppressed.
During an audition, she meets Dr. Beshir, an intellectual and Sufi thinker who will supervise her thesis on ecstasy in Sufi love poetry. Under his influence, Dunia embarks on a search in poetry, dance, and music that confronts the taboos of Egyptian society, particularly female genital mutilation – a practice that then affected 97% of Egyptian women – and the banning ofOne Thousand and One Nights for "pornography". The film's climax, centered on this mutilation, makes it both a literal denunciation and a metaphor for cultural and intellectual excision.
A DVD Rich in Extras
The Trigon-film edition stands out for the quality of its supplements. The DVD notably includes anexclusive interview with Jocelyne Saab lasting one hour, offering valuable insight into the genesis of the film and the filmmaker's struggles. It is accompanied by abooklet and offers subtitles in French, German, and English.
Press Coverage and Recognition
- Audience Award – Fribourg International Film Festival.
- The film has been screened at numerous international festivals, including the Sundance Film Festival.
- It sparked heated debate in Egypt, where it was censored just days after its theatrical release, and the director received death threats from fundamentalists.