Papicha

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.

"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.

I absolutely loved it. Totally represents algeria back then. Also, it kind of still does until now. I went through a lot too, we want to live not to argue and fight to live.

Excellent Algerian film on the advancemeny of religious fundamentalism in the country and about mysoginy. Very important as that phenomena also happens in other parts of the world and, as a Brazilian, I assure that not only in islamic countries. It is well filmed and there is a good development of interesting characters.

A film about the overwhelming intolerance for the right to live freely as a woman - this outstanding and intelligent piece of cinema reveals the oppression of women in Algeria circa 1997. Lyna Khoudri is incredible, and so it is that women are still treated like this in far too many places in the world today. Vote no and acknowledge your ignorance, prejudice and misogyny.