DUBAI: Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania is the latest Arab creative to work with Italian fashion label Miu Miu.
The filmmaker directed the brand’s 22nd short film, “I and the Stupid Boy,” which debuted at Venice Film Festival this week. This was shot as part of Miu Miu’s “Women’s Tales” series.
The 13-minute French-language movie, which premiered on Sept. 4, tells the story of a young girl called Nora who falls in love. As she heads out for a date, Nora takes a shortcut through an abandoned building where she bumps into her ex, Kevin.
The film stars French actress Oulaya Amamra as Nora and actor Sandor Funtek as Kevin.
In an interview with the label, Ben Hania said: “I wanted to create an impossible love story.”
“The girl in my story is very empathetic, whereas the boy sees everything from his own perspective.”
The director’s film explores the breakdown of communication between these divergent personality types.
In “I and the Stupid Boy,” Nora was seen wearing designs by Miu Miu, which the director says is fundamental to the story.
“Nora … wants to be cool. When she’s stopped by Kevin, her costume doesn’t help her. I love this contradiction,” explained Ben Hania. “Costumes are a very powerful tool in cinema, like scenery and lighting.”
The brand shared a short video on Instagram in which Ben Hania was seen discussing the film. “The first thing that seduced me is the short format because it is very difficult,” she said.
“I know that I have stories, (they) are short. You cannot stretch them, it’s a pity,” she added.
Ben Hania has been making headlines in the film industry after her critically acclaimed movie “The Man Who Sold His Skin” was shortlisted at the Oscar’s Best International Feature Film award in February.
It is not the first time the fashion label has worked with an Arab director.
The 16th film, “The Wedding Singer’s Daughter,” of the series was directed by Saudi filmmaker Haifaa Al-Mansour.
Her short movie was set in the 1980s in Riyadh.
In the film, women shrouded in traditional black abayas making their way into a wedding hall. There, they reveal what’s underneath — dazzling dresses and extravagant hair. When all eyes are on the wedding singer, the electricity suddenly cuts out, setting things in motion.
