Djaffar Gacem
Directing
Biography
Djaffar Gacem (Arabic: جعفر قاسم), born September 18, 1966, is an Algerian director, screenwriter and producer (sometimes credited under the names Djaâfar Gacem, Djaâfer Gacem). He created his own production company: SD BOX (2007 to 2013) then Prod’art Films (since 2013). He stands out for directing popular television series, notably broadcast during the month of Ramadan, where his unique style mixes humor and social satire. Djaffar Gacem is appreciated for his ability to capture the daily life of Algerians and to treat local subjects with authenticity and sensitivity such as the successful series Nass Mleh City, Sultan Ashour 10, etc. His productions, often comedies but also dramas, have had a lasting impact on the Algerian audience, as with the film “Héliopolis” (2021), his first feature film. The film selected to represent Algeria at the Cinema Oscars in the category of best international feature film will ultimately not be in competition, the COVID pandemic having prevented its commercial screening in theaters (then closed) of the film for at least a week in the country of origin, as required by the criteria of AMPAS (Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences). He received the Best Director Prize at the Fennec d'Or Festival 2006 and 2008 (Algeria), and in 2024, the Honorary Prize at the Dzair Creative Ad Awards.
Known For
Sultan Achour 10 or Sultan Achour (in Arabic: السّلطان عاشور العاشر, As-Sulṭān ‘Āshūr al-‘Āshir) is an Algerian humorous television series in 66 episodes of 30 minutes, created by Djaffar Gacem and broadcast between June 18 2015 and May 9, 2021 on Echorouk TV then ENTV. The events of the series take place in a kingdom of Algeria, called "the Achourite kingdom", governed by Sultan Achour 10, and relate the daily adventures of the latter with his family, his people and the other kingdoms. The series is considered the largest Algerian comedy production, and was voted the most watched program in the country during the entire month of Ramadan 2015, 2017 and 2021.
Sultan Ashour 10
Set in mid-nineteenth-century Algeria, within the winding alleyways of the old Casbah, the series unfolds under colonial rule and harsh social realities. At its center is Fatma, a gifted young musician determined to pursue her artistic calling in a society that seeks to silence her. Constrained by a conservative family and rigid traditions, she fights to claim her own voice. Inspired by Al-Zahra, a celebrated singer returning from exile, Fatima finds the courage to defy expectations. But as her talent blossoms, so does the opposition she faces. When her path crosses with Ali Ben Ammar, a young man drawn into the struggle for resistance and identity, her personal dream becomes intertwined with her homeland’s fate—transforming her journey into one of courage, love, and sacrifice.
Fatma
Nass Mlah City is a 2002-2006 Algeria comedy TV series directed by Djafar Gacem and broadcast by ENTV. It first aired in Algeria on 6 November 2002 and has since produced well over 52 episodes.
Nass Mlah City
In the city of Guelma, which was once called Heliopolis in ancient times, the daily life of an Algerian family takes its usual course. But on May 8, 1945, the day the end of World War II was announced, demonstrations by the Algerian people against the French colonial power and for the country's independence took place, which were bloodily suppressed by the French army and French settler militias. The event went down in history as the Sétif and Guelma massacre.