Papicha

"Papicha" is a film set in Algiers in the 1990s. During this time period, the country was becoming more and more radicalized and young Nedjma (Lyna Khoudri) does NOT fit this mold. In a country where burqas and extreme modesty are starting to be enforced by vicious mobs, a liberal-minded college student like her is in serious trouble! The film is her attempt to push back against this inexorable tide...and the ultimate conclusion.

This is a very well made film in every way--acting, direction and script. It's also, not surprisingly, a bit hard to watch....but this does NOT mean you should avoid it. A strongly feminist film from a time when feminism was breathing its last gasps.

An awesome movie! Various portrayal of life and freedom. Amazing acting. A must see for all humans to break taboo. Nothing requires regulating for you the creator within!

Passionate direction. The lead is amazing. Cinematography is great making you the lead character.

An impact to last!

Algeria's submission to the 92nd Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film focuses on a girl who longs to go into fashion amid the country's civil war, with Islamist militias targeting "immodest" women.

Mounia Meddour's "Papicha" has both lighthearted scenes and intense ones, never losing the audience's attention in addressing the fear under which Algeria's women have to live. It's sad that Algeria spent over a century under French occupation - including a war of independence during which French forces tortured prisoners - and then after independence the ruling party nullified an unfavorable election result, leading to civil war (in fact, it was only twenty years ago this month that the war ended).

All in all, good movie. Lead actress Lyna Khoudri more recently appeared in "The French Dispatch".

It's late 90's Algiers. There are constant terror attacks. Security forces are at high alert. Religious conservative groups are pushing women to cover up and pushing the country into an Islamic state. Nedjma (Lyna Khoudri) and her friends are fashion students who are still trying to maintain their western lifestyle. After her friend gets murdered, she decides to host a fashion show in defiance.

This is one stressful movie. The pressures placed upon Nedjma are unbearable. Lyna Khoudri is a magnetic beautiful actress. It's a devastating story. The last act is tough to watch. I'm uncertain about the ending. Obviously, the filmmaker wants to leave some hope. I can buy that but I'm not completely satisfied here. Nevertheless, it's a very good story and I'm taken with Lyna.

I get a feeling there are a lot of films about women in islamic societies, this ranks high. I recently watched "Mustang" and that film had almost an ethereal way of depicting the girls' innocence and foreshadowed sexuality. Papicha has a more realistic approach and it nails it just as well, or better.

It depicts many shades of the girls psychology, many levels of fear, worry, nuissance or offense. Their reactions might show humour, stubborness, pride, comformity, disbelief... It really shows the dilemma of wanting to be free, but also safe, wanting to keep hope but without fleeing or depending on anyone, all of it while suffering a reality closing in.

I don't think it can even be labelled as a feminist film with the sort of pressure they had to put up with, things got seriously messed up in a country with a violent past, from the process of independence to the rise of fundamentalism. There's only one scene with a man suffering the fanatism but it's there, an important one that refers to weaponizing language by comformist women, so there you go. One could call it a failed opportunity to broaden the issue but no, I think the film would have lost its rhythm and it does focus so well on the group of students that it pays off, widely.

Strong, confident, liveful film-making that takes you on a ride, makes you feel the pressure but helps the viewer all the way, even when it might get tough to watch. Recommended.