After Papicha and Huria, this great international director takes a new portrait of a woman fighter inspired by a true story.

Papicha, with Lina Khoudri, released in 2019, enjoyed great critical and public success, with many awards, including two Césars and an Algerian Oscar selection. Its director, Munya Meddur, then wrote and directed Huriya, still starring Leena Khudri, and he is currently prepping his third feature titled Malika, reports said. Diversity.

What will this new movie be about? It will be inspired by the true story of Malika Bellarib, nicknamed “Diva in the Districts”. This singer made himself known through the project of the same name, which involves making opera more accessible.

The film follows his journey from childhood to a poor family of Algerian immigrants in the suburbs of Nanterre. After an accident that left her severely injured and bedridden for years, forced to undergo a long rehabilitation, Malika Bellarib then rebuilt herself through music and singing, helped by an atypical teacher.

In an interview with Variety, the director points out:I want Malika to be a powerful and immersive biopic centered on themes of reconstruction, identity and the redemption of art.And to clarify, the film will also explore the experience of Algerian immigrants and racism in France in the 1960s and 1990s.

Munya Meddur co-wrote the screenplay with Joanne Giger.

The Voice finalist in the main role

The cast will include Lilia Adad, a 2018 finalist on The Voice and star of Starmania the musical, Krystal. He has already appeared in the TV series The Replacement, Erica and Extra Lucide. Malika will be her first film role.

He will be surrounded by Elsa Zilberstein in the role of the professor, Lubna Azabal, Kamil Razat and Djibril Zonga.

Filming will begin on November 21 in the Paris region.