“Plague”, interview with the director Youssef Chebbi

The second feature film of Tunisian-born director Youssef Chebbi, Plague, is one one of the six feature films selected at the 14th edition of Final Cut in Venice, the program of  Venice Film Festival and Venice Production Bridge that supports film in post-production from all African countries and six countries of the Middle East (Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria and Yemen).

Plague is a story about two twin brothers working in palm tree exploitation in Tunisia. The plot revolves around their daily lives, which take a turn when one brother encounters a palm tree-eating parasite.

Understanding the Story of Plague

Youssef Chebbi describes he parasite symbolizes broader issues, notably the introduction of foreign palm trees just before Tunisia’s 2011 revolution, which led to the spread of the parasite and threatened the country’s main economic resource in the south. Chebbi emphasizes how the film fictionalizes the potential spread of a plague, illustrating the profound impact this could have on Tunisian society and the environment.

The Challenges and Inspirations Behind the Film

The director talks about the deep connection he has to the south of Tunisia, where his family is from, and how his return to the country inspired the project. Youssef  Chebbi met the twin brothers in 2019 in the city of Tozer and was struck by their authenticity, which led him to cast non-professional actors for most roles. He highlights the importance of working closely with these farmers, ensuring the film remains authentic while balancing professional actors like Eya Bellagha, Mohamed Grayaa. Shooting took place in Tozer over a month and a half, with a focus on capturing real environments to maintain authenticity.

Production and International Collaboration

Plague is a co-production involving Tunisian, French, Qatari, and Saudi entities, among others. Chebbi shares that the production involved funds from Tunisia’s Ministry of Culture, Doha Film Institute, Red Sea, and regional France aid. The budget was tight, but the team managed to raise sufficient funds to complete filming, primarily focusing on exploring Tunisia’s imaginary landscapes rather than its reality. The postproduction is ongoing, with a screening scheduled soon, and sales are already being handled by a distributor in France. Chebbi emphasizes Tunisia’s strong technical infrastructure, although financial limitations remain a challenge. Plague’s editing process is in progress, with final touches being made ahead of its premiere.

Plot