Directing

Michka Saäl

Born in Tunisia, Michka Saäl settled in Montreal during the 1980s, completing two film degrees. Between 1989 and 2017, she wrote and directed 13 films, both fiction and documentary. In July 2017, she passed away suddenly in Montreal from an illness. She left 2 of her 13 films in post-production and an unpublished collection of stories, all of which were released in 2019.

Known For

La Position de l'escargotLa Position de l'escargot · 1999
La Position de l'escargot
9.01999
MovieComedyDrama
Tunisian-born Myriam, a Sephardic beauty, lives in Montreal. Théo, her grad-student boyfriend, breaks up with her, and she's desolate. She house-sits for a friend for several weeks: during that time, her father arrives looking for her after 20 years, Théo realizes he misses her, and she meets the quirky Lou, a poetry-spouting squatter who introduces himself by clipping a lock of her hair during a movie; he later breaks into her flat to chat with her. She's angry with her father, confused by Théo, and delighted with Lou, whose free spirit and undemanding attention inspire her. Working out her feelings about her father gives her to key to decide what to do next.
A Great Day in ParisA Great Day in Paris · 2017
A Great Day in Paris
2017
MovieDocumentaryMusic
Within the jazz milieu of Paris, a story of music and friendship that revolves around questions of artistic exile, and begins and ends with a photograph.
Zero ToleranceZero Tolerance · 2004
Zero Tolerance
10.02004
MovieDocumentary
Being young is tough, especially if you're Black, Latino, Arab or Asian. In a city like Montreal, you can get targeted and treated as a criminal for no good reason. Zero Tolerance reveals how deep seated prejudice can be. On one side are the city's young people, and on the other, its police force. Two worlds, two visions. Yet one of these groups is a minority, while the other wields real power. One has no voice, while the other makes life-and-death decisions.
Far From WhereFar From Where · 1991
Far From Where
7.01991
Movie
The cold, the snow, winter in black and white, all to reinforce missing the warmth, colours and scents of Tunisia.

Movies

La Position de l'escargotLa Position de l'escargot · 1999
La Position de l'escargot
9.01999
MovieComedyDrama
Tunisian-born Myriam, a Sephardic beauty, lives in Montreal. Théo, her grad-student boyfriend, breaks up with her, and she's desolate. She house-sits for a friend for several weeks: during that time, her father arrives looking for her after 20 years, Théo realizes he misses her, and she meets the quirky Lou, a poetry-spouting squatter who introduces himself by clipping a lock of her hair during a movie; he later breaks into her flat to chat with her. She's angry with her father, confused by Théo, and delighted with Lou, whose free spirit and undemanding attention inspire her. Working out her feelings about her father gives her to key to decide what to do next.
A Great Day in ParisA Great Day in Paris · 2017
A Great Day in Paris
2017
MovieDocumentaryMusic
Within the jazz milieu of Paris, a story of music and friendship that revolves around questions of artistic exile, and begins and ends with a photograph.
Zero ToleranceZero Tolerance · 2004
Zero Tolerance
10.02004
MovieDocumentary
Being young is tough, especially if you're Black, Latino, Arab or Asian. In a city like Montreal, you can get targeted and treated as a criminal for no good reason. Zero Tolerance reveals how deep seated prejudice can be. On one side are the city's young people, and on the other, its police force. Two worlds, two visions. Yet one of these groups is a minority, while the other wields real power. One has no voice, while the other makes life-and-death decisions.
Far From WhereFar From Where · 1991
Far From Where
7.01991
Movie
The cold, the snow, winter in black and white, all to reinforce missing the warmth, colours and scents of Tunisia.