Algiers during the worst years of terrorism. Rachida is a beautiful young teacher who lives and works in a popular neighbourhood of Algiers. One morning, as she goes to work without wearing a veil, she is taken to task by a group of terrorists, which includes one of her pupils, Sofiane. They tell her to plant a bomb in her school. She refuses in spite of her fear. Out of anger, the leader of the gang shoots her in the stomach. They all run away leaving her to bleed to death in the neighbourhood deserted by its frightened inhabitants… Miraculously Rachida survives. But she decides to leave Algiers and to seek refuge in the village of a colleague of hers, Yasmina, who lends her a house. She moves in with her mother, who is also a disgraced woman because she is divorced.


directed by Yamina BACHIR-CHOUIKH

2002, Algeria / France, Drama

Actors
Ibtissem DJOUADI
Aida Kechoud
Bahia RACHEDI
Nacéra Merah
Amel Chouikh
Hamid RAMAS
Abdelkader BELMOKADEM
Rachida MESSAOUDEN
Djouadi IBTISSEM


Screenplay
Yamina Bachir-Chouikh

Running Time
93′
35 mm colour 1 / 85
Dolby SR Sound

Original version in Arabic and French
Subtitled in French

Picture
Mustapha Belmihoub

Sound
Rachid Bouaffia/Martin Boisseau

Film Editing
Yamina Bachir – Chouikh

Sound Editing
Anne-Laure Lermyte/Pascal Desprès

Mixing
Jean-Guy Veran

Music
Anne-Olga de Pass

Location
Algeria

Cast
Ibtissem Djouati (Rachida)
Bahia Rachedi (Aïcha, the mother)
Hamid Remas (Hassen)
Abdelkader Belmokadem (Moktar)





PRIX / FESTIVALS / AWARDS / DISTINCTIONS / TELEVISIONS


2007 | 1st Festival Miroirs et Cinémas d’Afriques | MARSEILLE, France | June 26, – July 1st, 2007 |
> Winner Feature Film Prize (Prix du Long Métrage)


2004 : Cinemafrica Film Festival | STOCKHOLM, Suéde | 2004
> Sélection


2002 : London Film Festival | LONDON, United Kingdom | 2002
> Winner Satyajit Ray Award


2002 : Festival International du Film d’Amiens | AMIENS, France | 2002
> Winner Audience Prize (Prix du Public)
> Winner Licorne d’Or (Jury Grand Prize)