This film reminds me of Iranian cinema. Not only does it have a slow pace and a simple storyline (as do many Iranian films), but also, much of the communication between characters occurs as much through looks and gestures as via spoken words. In this way the director - perhaps unwittingly - conveys the unsurmountable silence and emptiness of the monontonous, semi-arid hámada landscape.
As the end credits roll the shot is frozen on the coffin dangling from the crane. The music finishes and the rest of the credits roll in silence. This has a moving effect, as we are reminded of the inevitability of silence.
The film has a striking simplicity which is missing from Leyla ma Raison - a more recent piece of Tunisian cinema full of slow-moving desert panoramas, also with scant dialogue. Shadow of the Earth seems gritty and realistic, whilst Leyla ma Raison is over-romantic and self-indulged. The latter belongs to the era of Arabian Nights and Prince-of-Persia style fantasy.
To viewers who enjoyed this film I would recommend The Citadel (Algeria), Reed Dolls (Morocco) and La Plage Des Enfants Perdus (Morocco).
