Hamza Mendil
Directing
Biography
Hamza Mohamed Anis Mendil, a marine biologist by training and a diving instructor, was born in 1987 in the coastal city of Ténès, Algeria. The grandson of a professional diver from the 1960s and 70s, he learned his passion for the sea from his grandfather, which later led him to study oceanography. Currently a doctoral candidate in the field, he and several colleagues have founded a production company that creates educational documentaries about Algerian and Mediterranean marine ecological heritage, as well as other products (short films, animations, and reports) shared with various schools in the country. Through his studies and his work, Hamza Mendil strives to instill in younger generations, through informative and educational documentaries, the importance of preserving marine biodiversity and universal biological heritage. In 2017, he directed his first feature film after two medium-length films on the same subject. “The Houses of the Sea” is the first Algerian documentary of its kind and it was awarded the Bronze Palm in the Pro category at the World Festival of Underwater Images in Marseille.
Known For
In Tamazight culture, "Twïza" symbolizes a gathering for sharing and mutual support. This is precisely what Thibault Dion's film explores – January 2019 – as five French climbers land at Constantine airport. While they initially thought they would simply be opening climbing routes in eastern Algeria, this group of climbers from Grenoble discovers much more. Their initial apprehension about exploring this isolated region, coupled with the warm welcome, good humor, and rich culture, transforms their journey into an unexpected human adventure. Fabulous landscapes, thrilling experiences, unforgettable moments, smiles – beyond borders, in the land of friendship and hospitality... Algeria.
Twïza, L'Aventure Algérienne
No description available.
Les Maisons De La Mer
In the heart of the Hoggar Mountains, Algerian and French climbers meet on the legendary walls of the central Sahara. More than just an ascent, Tissalatine tells the story of an encounter with oneself, with the land, and with history. The film also retraces Thomas Dulac's return, ten years later, to a site he helped to open up. Driven by the profound voice of singer Djam and the vision of director Hamza Mendil, Tissalatine unveils a living, vibrant Sahara, far removed from clichés, in a sweeping epic of adventure, brotherhood, and spiritual elevation.