Fatima (2015 film)

Fatima is a 2015 French-Canadian drama film directed by Philippe Faucon, based on the book Prière à la lune by Fatima Elayoubi.

Synopsis: The film tells the story of Fatima, a North African immigrant woman living in France, who is raising her two teenage daughters, Souad and Nesrine. Fatima works as a cleaning lady to provide for her family. She struggles with the French language and feels increasingly distanced from her daughters, who are becoming more integrated into French culture. Souad is rebellious and struggling in school, while Nesrine is studying hard to become a doctor. Fatima starts writing her thoughts and feelings in Arabic as a way to bridge the gap between herself and her daughters, and to understand their experiences in France.

Cast:

• Soria Zeroual as Fatima
• Zita Hanrot as Nesrine
• Kenza Noah Aïche as Souad

Reception:

Fatima received critical acclaim, winning the César Award for Best Film in 2016. It was praised for its realistic portrayal of the challenges faced by immigrant families and its nuanced exploration of cultural identity, language barriers, and intergenerational relationships. Soria Zeroual's performance as Fatima was also widely lauded.

Awards:

• César Award for Best Film
• César Award for Best Adaptation

Themes:

The film explores themes of immigration, cultural identity, motherhood, language barriers, education, and intergenerational conflict. It examines the difficulties faced by immigrant women in integrating into new societies while maintaining their cultural heritage and raising their children in a different environment.