The earliest films by Albert Samama Chikli that we know of from autograph documents and newspaper clippings are from 1905 and, among them, Tunny Fishing in Tunisia was widely distributed by Urban (UK), Eclipse (France) and Kleine (USA). We will not screen Samama’s film in this programme but present rushes or outtakes from an up-to-now undated and unidentified Pêche aux thons à Sidi Daoud (Tunisie). Tuna fishing with trap nets was for a long time practised by Italians in Tunisia. Today, two trap nets are still exploited in Sidi Daoud and Monastir from April to May; the catch is sold in Japan.

Mariann Lewinsky