Introducing Giants: Moumen Smihi, Influences, Writing, Form and Discursivity

This study aims to analyze Moumen Smihi’s contributions to redefining cinema as an intellectual and social critique medium. It focuses on Smihi’s cinematic approach, which integrates narrative, visual, and discursive writing to explore themes of culture, identity, and resistance, particularly within the context of post-colonial cinema. This research employs a qualitative method with a case study approach, analyzing the film Chergi (1975) as a primary representation of Smihi’s work. Data were gathered through literature reviews, film analysis, and the application of post-structuralist theories. The findings reveal that Smihi innovatively combines documentary and fictional elements, employs silence as a form of resistance, and explores the tension between tradition and modernity. This approach not only expands the boundaries of conventional cinema but also makes a significant contribution to the discourse of cinema as a medium for social and cultural reflection.