FATIMA

philippe faucon

france canada 2015 79 min

Fatima lives on her own with two daughters to support: 15-year old Souad, a teenager in revolt, and 18-year old Nesrine, who is starting medical school. Fatima speaks French poorly and is constantly frustrated by her daily interactions with her daughters. Her pride and joy, they are also a source of worry. To ensure the best possible future for them, she works odd hours as a cleaning woman. One day, she takes a fall on the stairs. On leave, Fatima begins to write to her daughters in Arabic that which she has never been able to express in French.

• About the film

  Original title Fatima

  Directed by Philippe Faucon

  Screenplay Philippe Faucon
  Based on books by Fatima Elayoubi

  Cast Soria Zeroual Zita Hanrot Kenza Noah Aiche

  Music Robert Marcel Lepage

  Cinematography Laurent Fenart

  Editing Sophie Mandonnet

  Production Companies Istiqlal Films Arte France Cinema Possibles Media

• Festivals & Awards

  Quinzaine des Cinéastes — Cannes Film Festival
  2015 | Official Selection

  Viennale — Vienna International Film Festival
  2015 | Official Selection

  Tübingen | Stuttgart International French-language Film Festival
  2015 | Gesellschaft im Umbruch / Société en transition

  Rio de Janeiro International Film Festival
  2015 | French Film Selection

  Dubai International Film Festival
  2015 | Arabian Nights

  Louis Delluc Prize
  2015
  Louis Delluc Prize — Best Film

  French Syndicate of Cinema Critics
  2016
  Critics Award — Best Film

  César Awards
  2016
  Best Film
  Best Adapted Screenplay — Philippe Faucon
  Most Promising Actress — Zita Hanrot
  Nomination — Best Actress — Soria Zeroual

  Lumière Awards
  2016
  Best Screenplay — Philippe Faucon

  The American French Film Festival (TAFFF)
  2016
  LAFCA Critics Special Mention

  Rendez-Vous with French Cinema in New York
  2016 | Official Selection

  Rendez-vous — Nuovo Cinema Francese
  2016 | French Film Selection

  Festival du Film Français au Maroc
  2016 | Official Selection

  German French Film Week
  2016 | CinéFête

  Pantalla Pinamar International Film Festival
  2017 | Feature Film Selection

  French Film Festival of Cuba
  2017 | Official Selection

  Festival du cinéma méditerranéen Manarat
  2018 | Tribute

  Festival du cinéma méditerranéen Manarat
  2019 | Competition

  Festival du Film Francophone de Grèce
  2019 | Carte Blanche & Public Presentation