Naharnet

Former Libya Rebels Light Up Sarajevo Film Festival

Hundreds of former Libyan rebels gathered in Sarajevo on Thursday to see the world premiere of a documentary dedicated to their 2011 fight against Moammar Gadhafi's regime.

The four-hour documentary "Tomorrow, Tripoli" by French director Florent Marcie depicts the everyday experiences of fighters in Zintan, the West Libyan hill town that was among the first to fall into rebel hands after an armed uprising broke out against Gadhafi in February 2011.

Marcie traveled to Libya shortly after the revolt began and spent eight months filming alongside anti-government fighters.

"As I got closer to Zintan, I saw that there was something special about this town and I decided to stay there," Marcie told Agence France Presse.

The area is rarely visited by journalists, but Marcie said he "met real people, (including) fighters who made ambushes, who were really active."

A scene in the film shows the death of Mohammed Ali Madani, founder of the rebel Zintan Brigade that would go on to capture Gadhafi's son Seif in November 2011.

"We came here for Florent, who is a hero for us... He was with us since the beginning and he has shared our fate," said 41-year old former rebel fighter Mohammad Tawfik, who now works with the Libyan defense ministry.

The documentary was among films screened during the Warm Film Festival, an event organized by war reporters dedicated to contemporary conflicts.

Source: Agence France Presse


Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. https://mobile.naharnet.com/stories/en/137385