Le collier perdu de la colombe

The films of writer, poet & filmmaker Khemir all stand on their own, but his personal signature is easily traceable in his 'The Dove's Lost Necklace', his second film after the sensational 'Wanderers Of The Desert'.

Things are quite different too between the two films; where there was magic in the realism of 'Wanderers...', there is some mundane stuff in the magic of 'The Dove...'. Which is a big difference.

A lush and beautiful film, 'The Dove...' is very entertaining, indeed as if experiencing an unknown chapter of the 'Arabian Nights'. Even the desert in 'The Dove...' seems to be cleaned up. The film is smooth and polished as a fairy tale, and this is a pity when judged against 'Wanderers...', where every detail of the film rings out as true and real, which envelops the make-believe within the story to make it all seem very possible.

'The Dove...' is beautiful and worthy of your time and attention, where 'Wanderers...' is a breathtaking experience.

It does make one yearn to see the last of Khemir's Desert Trilogy -Bab'Aziz- which promises to use yet another way of storytelling.

Nacer Khemir is a gifted filmmaker, and a superb storyteller. I for one would love to read his books and poems, as well as watching many more films from his hand !!