Arabic fiction, Feature films

THE PRINCESSES’ CEMETERY

Jean MOUSSELLE
1961
Version : Arabic, Arabic with French subtitles
Duration : 83'
Format : 35 mm.
Black & white
Scriptwriter : R. M. ARLAUD
Producer : CASTELLA Films & ARMOR Films
Country France
With AGOUMI, AHMIDOU, Leyla SOHL, SAFIRI, MAHIEDDINE Mina SELENA, KALTOUM
Music BACHETARZI, MISSOUM, Camille SAUVAGE
Picture Pierre ANCRENAZ
Stage set South of France

Original title : Le Cimetière des Princesses

Four centuries ago, Nefissa and Fatima, the two daughters of the Dey Hassan, died of love for the same horseman. United in death as in love, the two princesses lie in a small cemetery in Algiers, and it is the same fate that befalls an Algerian family today. A young orphan, Karim, is adopted with his sister Fatima by the Hassan family, who already have a daughter of the same age. Nefissa, Fatima and Karim are very fond of each other, and the Hassans bring them up like their three real children, but one day the same love for Karim divides the two girls. Fatima learns the truth about Karim’s birth from Hocine, the old coachman. Following dramatic circumstances, she marries Karim clandestinely. In a fit of jealousy, Nefissa accidentally kills Fatima and dies without knowing that she is Karim’s real sister.