French-Algerian drama following a young woman attempting to put on a fashion show in oppressive, 1990s Algiers. Winner of Most...
French-Algerian drama following a young woman attempting to put on a fashion show in oppressive, 1990s Algiers. Winner of Most Promising Actress (Lyna Khoudri) and Best First Film at the 2020 César Awards.
"Nedjma (Khoudri), an 18 year-old student passionate about fashion design refuses to let the tragic events of the Algerian Civil War to keep her from experiencing a normal life... As the social climate becomes more conservative, she rejects the new bans set by the radicals and decides to fight for her freedom and independence by putting on a fashion show." (Cannes Film Festival)
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88 %32 reviewsRotten Tomatoes® rating
72 %43 reviewsAudience score rating
"Seriously powerful filmmaking."
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Little White Lies
Little White Lies"Brisk, confident, and atmospheric..."
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RogerEbert.com
RogerEbert.com"(A) partly autobiographical feature whose extreme tonal flips - from gaiety to trauma, tenderness to tragedy - only make it all the more touching."
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The New York Times
The New York Times"Papicha feels conspicuously manipulative."
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Variety
Variety"A lovingly acted film that, unfortunately, derails in the third act..."
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Hollywood Reporter
Hollywood Reporter"(An) impressive debut feature..."
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Screen Daily
Screen Daily"There is a scattershot emotional rhetoric here - but also idealism, and emotional force."
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The Guardian
The Guardian"It's a highly impressive first feature for writer-director Mounia Meddour."
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Daily Mail
Daily Mail"Like its magnetic lead, the film is alternately warm and viscerally angry, with scant patience for nuance."
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Financial Times
Financial TimesPapicha | Details
- Runtime
- 105
- Genre
- Drama
- Country of origin
- France, Algeria, Belgium, Qatar
