Through a fusion of animation and real images, queer individuals from the Maghreb share their stories, from their homeland to various parts of the rest of the world. These individuals have fiercely broken societal taboos around gender and sexuality, defying social, legal and familial pressures, even among those who have chosen to break away from their families.

Director Biography - Bassem Ben Brahim

Bassem ben Brahim (She,He) is a Queer film director from Tunisia. Bassem graduated in image design at the Higher Institute of Fine Arts, Nabeul Tunisia. He got his Masters in editing from the School of Audiovisual and Cinema Gammart ESAC. He has directed two animated films; CHROMOPHOBIA and THE RED FISH in 2019 around the issue of gender and sexuality. In 2022 he made his first short documentary NIDHAL which has made various international festivals such as Reeling LGBTQ+ Film Festival; Lovers Film Festival. He is the co-founder of Gender Betounsi, a project on gender culture through the art of animation and painting.

Director Statement

Four characters from four countries appear in this project .The filming process involves the director and their assistant traveling to each location and personally following the characters.

However, the production faces significant challenges in certain locations.

Algeria and Morocco, specifically Meknes, present inherent risks and dangers when it comes to documenting these subjects.

In Tunisia, they had the opportunity to film Ritej from Libya, which adds an additional layer of delicacy due to the geographical proximity between the two countries. The director recognizes the importance of approaching this subject matter with sensitivity and respect, given the unique challenges faced by Ritej and the cultural context surrounding their story.

The film also includes a shooting in Sao Paulo, Brazil, featuring Jad, a transgender man from Tunisia. This country presents

a stark contrast to the countries of the BIG Maghreb. The filmmaking process becomes an exhilarating adventure, infused with intense emotions, love, and moments of both excitement and fear. The constant awareness of the potential risks of being stopped or arrested adds to the complexity of the project. However, completing this film under such challenging conditions is a source of immense pride, as it represents a significant accomplishment in terms of both filmmaking

and activism.