In Algiers, a writer embarks on a poetic mapping of jacarandas, those purple-flowering trees from Latin America. His filmmaker son follows him on this intimate journey, where the father's stories sketch a loving dictionary of the city. Their intertwined perspectives compose the story of a transmission.
Hassen Ferhani
Director and chief DoP born in Algiers in 1986. His work has always been rooted in his city, where he co-hosted the Chrysalide association film club and directed his first short film ‘Bays of Algiers’ (2006). After taking part in the FEMIS summer training (2008) he directed awarded short documentary films like ‘Le Vol du 140’ (2008) or the medium-length film ‘Afric Hotel’ (2010, codirected with Nabil Djedouani), which screened at Visions du Réel and FIDMarseille. His first feature, ‘Roundabout in my Head’ (2016) was multi-awarded (FID Grand Prize in French competition, McMillan-Stewart Fellowship of Harvard, first film winning two Tanit d’Or at Carthage Festival...). His second feature, ‘143 Sahara Street’, won the Silver Leopard for Best Film in Locarno in 2019. With ‘Studio Baumettes’ (2025) he won best short film at Doclisboa and with ‘Alea Jacarandas’ (2026) he harvested the Jury Prize in the Burning Lights Competition at Visions du Réel.
