Saïd Ould Khelifa


Saïd Ould Khelifa is an Algerian film director, screenwriter and critic. He is best known for his feature films Ombres blanches, Le thé d'Ania and Zabana !.

Biography

Saïd Ould Khelifa was born in Tunisia in 1951. He has a
doctorate in Cinema & History under the supervision of Marc Ferro at School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences (EHESS), before directing films, he was active as a film critic and journalist, contributing to magazines and festivals and maintaining a critical activity that was recognised in Algerian and French-speaking circles.

Career

Saïd Ould Khelifa began his career as a critic before moving on to filmmaking. His first feature film was released in the early 1980s, followed by a series of films often dealing with social and historical themes related to contemporary Algeria. He collaborates with Algerian and international screenwriters and actors, and his films have been screened at various festivals.

Filmography

  • 1991 : Ombres blanches
  • 2004 : Le thé d'Ania
  • 2006 : Vivantes !
  • 2012 : ''Zabana !''

Awards and reception

Algerian press

  • El Watan — programme announcement mentioning the film Zabana! : ... Zabana! by Saïd Ould Khelifa....
  • L'Expression — profile/interview: "Saïd Ould Khelifa: cinema in his blood. ".
  • L'Expression — review/history : mention of Saïd Ould-Khelifa wins award.
  • Al Jazeera — feature/interview: note on the director's commitment and his remarks on historical reconstruction. Summary excerpt: 'He highlighted the budgetary constraints for historical films.