Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania is developing a new project inspired by the true story of a woman raped outside a beachfront nightclub in 2012.  

“It follows her efforts to prove the crime and get justice. It’s based on true facts,” said Tunis-based producer Habib Attia of Cinetelefilms who is producing.

“We’ve managed to secure half the budget from Tunisia’s Ministry of Culture and are now researching international financing options.”

Ben Hania’s last work, mockumentary Challat Of Tunis, about a mysterious knife-wielding man who slashes women’s buttocks in the Tunisian capital, played in the Muhr Arab competition at last year’s DIFF and also went on to screen in Cannes in the ACID selection.

The filmmaker also won Dubai Film Connection support for documentary Zaineb Hates The Snow in 2011.

Attia is also continuing to work on two other DFC supported projects: Tunisian director Fares Naanaa’s A Full Moon Night and Rashid Masharawi’s Gaza DC.

A Full Moon Night is heading into post-production following confirmation that it is to receive the backing of the Dubai Film Market’s Enjaaz post-production programme.

The drama, about a couple wrenched apart by the death of their young daughter, won the Dubai Film Connection in 2012 and was shot earlier this year.

“We got the confirmation of the Enjaaz support two weeks ago which will enable us to finish the film,” said producer Attia. “Our aim is to have it ready by the middle of next year, in time to show it at the festival.”

Attia’s slate also includes, Palestinian Rashid Masharawi’s Gaza DC, which was presented at the DFC last year.

The Romeo and Juliet-style romance set against the backdrop of the Gaza Strip revolves around the ill-fated romance between a Palestinian refugee camp resident and an idealistic NGO worker.

“Rashid is re-writing the script to incorporate some of the events in the Gaza Strip of the last few months,” said Attia.

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