Nacer Khemir, born in 1948 in Korba, Tunisia, is a multifaceted Tunisian storyteller, artist, filmmaker, and writer whose work reflects the rich tapestry of Arabic culture. From a young age, Khemir was deeply influenced by the classic tales of One Thousand and One Nights, which ignited his passion for storytelling. Although he initially pursued a career as a painter and sculptor—exhibiting his art at prestigious venues like the Centre Pompidou and the Museum of Modern Art in Paris—he ultimately gravitated towards filmmaking.
In 1966, Khemir received a UNESCO fellowship to study film in Paris. His debut film, L’Histoire du pays du Bon Dieu (The History of God's Country), was completed in 1975 and was notable for its spiritual themes set against the backdrop of his hometown's desert landscape. His first feature film, Les baliseurs du désert (Wanderers of the Desert), released in 1984, earned him international recognition, winning the Grand Prix at the Festival des Trois Continents.
Khemir's second feature, Le collier perdu de la colombe (The Dove's Lost Necklace), debuted in 1991, featuring dialogues in Classical Arabic and a narrative steeped in fairy-tale elements that explores themes of love and knowledge. This film garnered multiple awards, including a Special Jury Prize at the Locarno International Film Festival.
Completing what is known as his "Desert Trilogy," Khemir released Bab'Aziz: le prince qui contemplait son âme (Bab'Aziz: The Prince Who Contemplated His Soul) in 2005. This film portrays an elderly dervish and his granddaughter on a journey to a Sufi gathering, and Khemir has described it as a politically charged piece aimed at showcasing a compassionate portrayal of Islam in contrast to media narratives post-9/11. Bab'Aziz was co-produced by several countries and won the
