By Maria Esteves - February 9, 2008

The 17th Annual New York Jewish Film Festival (NYJFF), 2008 presented by the Film Society of Lincoln Center and The Jewish Museum World Premiere film VILLA JASMIN, directed by Férid Boughedir was held at the Walter Reade Theater, Saturday, January 20, 6:00 PM. A special Q&A immediately followed with Director Férid Boughedir, moderated by Assistant Curator Andrew Ingall, The Jewish Museum.

Based on Serge Moati's novel VILLA JASMIN, is a compelling and passionate love story. Serge Moati (Clément Sibony), a French Tunisian of Jewish descent, returns to La Goulette, Tunisia in search of his family roots. The film explores his parent's history from the 1920s and the impact of the Vichy Government under German Occupation in the 1940s.

Moati finds solace as he discovers his parents' love for each other sustained them through good and bad times. Their love was compared to the sweet aroma of Jasmin, the national flower of Tunisia. His mother's charm necklace gift given by his father with the hidden inscription from Dante Alighieri, The Divine Comedy, "the love which moves the sun and stars" described their relationship.

VILLA JASMIN, directed by Férid Boughedir | France | 2007 | 90 min. | French and Arabic with English subtitles | 2008 NYJFF World Premiere, schedule to air on TV in France, March 2008.

2008 NYJFF World Premiere film VILLA JASMIN Q&A
session: Director Férid Boughedir.

2008 NYJFF World Premiere film VILLA JASMIN Q&A session:
Director Férid Boughedir, (right), and Moderator Andrew Ingall,
Assistant Curator, The Jewish Museum.