After two powerful and highly acclaimed works, Beauty and the Pack and The Man Who Sold His Skin – the first film to represent Tunisia at the Oscars – filmmaker Kauter Ben Hania writes and directs Les Filles d’Olfa. Presented in competition at the 76th Cannes Film Festival, this unique project revolves around a device that combines feature and documentary.
The director is interested in the story of Olfa, a Tunisian mother of four daughters, whose two eldest disappear overnight to join the ranks of the jihadists. When he begins to film the confessions of three women for a documentary, Kauter Ben Hania stops filming, dissatisfied with the images.
“While we were in full custody, I realized that the best way to get Olfa back to reality and her own memories was to make a documentary about the preparation of fake fiction that would never see the light of day.“, the director explains in the press conference. Kauter Ben Hania then came up with the idea of hiring professional actors to play Olfa and her two missing daughters.
Three on-screen actors meet a real family to better recreate the thread of their family drama. The result is amazing, dignified and daring, because the equipment used is rare, not to mention unique. Les Filles d’Olfa not only avoids the trap of voyeurism, but also manages to breathe a certain levity into the scenes of everyday life.
“I wanted to show this contrast between what we say and how we say itThe director explains. It is very valuable. Cinema can show that. I also believe that the film did them good, it served as a therapeutic experience for them. They gave a huge amount of money and I think it’s safe to say they got it in return. That’s what they say. This film allowed them to express themselves. If they did not have a voice until then, they offered to listen. When they saw the film, their first reaction was, “Thank you, you took our vote.”
Daughters of Olfa by Kauter Ben Hania, currently in cinema.
Source: Allocine
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
