Guardian of the Worlds

Hassan has worked at the cemetery Jellaz in Tunis for over 40 years, after burying both his parents and his two brothers. Here the strange old man is something of a guardian of the cemetery.

40 years ago Hassan buried his parents and two brothers at the cemetery Jellaz in Tunis. Since then he has remained at the cemetery and is now something of a guardian of the place. The documentary Guardian of the Worlds follows the everyday life of Hassan, who lives and works at the cemetery. Here he does the gardening, building whatever is needed, keeping things clean and tidy, and helping out with funeral ceremonies. Occasionally he meets the living at the crowded neighborhood cafes.

A poetic and observational documentary brings us into Hassan’s world while he moves between daylight and dark knight, where he talks to both the living and the dead. Through Hassan’s conversations and observations, the film simultaneously paints a picture of contemporary Tunisia and the lives of those who exist on the fringes of society.

Director

Leïla Chaïbi har flere års erfaring som journalist og har gjennom sin karriere som filmskaper fokusert på spørsmål knyttet til identitet og den arabiske verden. Harga (2010) var hennes første kortdokumentar. Senere lagde hun sin første dokumentarfilm Le Verrou (2016) som hun regisserte i samarbeid med Hélène Poté. Guardian of the Worlds er hennes andre langfilm.

This film is part of