1990A feature film

The Barrier

الحاجز

Directed byBassam Al Thawadi

The Costa-Gavras letter Story & production archive

الحاجز / The Barrier — Original poster / From the film archive

From The Barrier archive / 2009

A letter from Costa-Gavras about The Barrier

In a letter dated 27 February 2009, Costa-Gavras, as President of the Cinémathèque française, thanks Bassam Al Thawadi for depositing film materials in its collections. The accompanying inventory identifies the film as Al Hajiz (The Barrier), directed by Bassam Al Thawadi in 1990.

Paris, 27 February 2009

English reading of the French letter

Mr. Al Thawadi,
You were kind enough to enrich the collections of the Cinémathèque française by entrusting it with a deposit of cinematographic materials.
This gesture testifies to your great interest in the Cinémathèque française and its work to preserve cinematographic heritage.
I thank you warmly for this and can assure you that the teams responsible for processing, conserving and restoring the collections will make every effort to present these materials to the best possible advantage.
Please accept, Mr. Al Thawadi, the expression of my best regards.
Costa-GavrasPresident of the Cinémathèque française

Editorial translation from French, checked against the English version supplied with the document.

Read the French original

Paris, le 27 février 2009

Monsieur Al Thawadi,

Vous avez bien voulu enrichir les collections de la Cinémathèque française en lui confiant un dépôt de matériels cinématographiques.

Ce geste témoigne du grand intérêt que vous portez à La Cinémathèque française et à son action en faveur de la sauvegarde du patrimoine cinématographique.

Je vous en remercie vivement et peux vous assurer que les équipes en charge du traitement, de la conservation et de la restauration des collections mettront tout en œuvre pour en permettre la meilleure valorisation.

Je vous prie d’agréer, Monsieur Al Thawadi, l’expression de mes sentiments les meilleurs.

Costa-Gavras
Le Président de la Cinémathèque française

Feature film / 1990

About the film

The Barrier explores the social and psychological barriers between an individual and society, and within the individual himself. Its characters struggle to communicate, understand one another and build healthy relationships.

Hassan, the central character, sees the world through his video camera. Retreating into a world of his own making, he becomes distant from his family and friend, and loses his beloved through his passive attitudes.

Credits

Produced and directed by Bassam Al Thawadi. Screenplay by Amin Saleh. Dialogue by Amin Saleh and Ali Al Sharqawi.

Explore the complete original record

English text prepared from the original website. Translation awaits owner review.