Papicha

Directed by Mounia Meddour

Drama – France, Algeria – 2019 – 105′
In French and Arabic with English Subtitles

Nedjma (Lyna Khoudri starring in Wes Anderson’s upcoming ‘The French Dispatch’) is a university student during the Algerian Civil War. Although she’s studying French, her passion is fashion design. Defying religious conservatism, she custom-makes dresses for her peers that are examples of individual expression. Attacks on civilians are on the rise from fundamentalist Islamist sects, and a shocking incident drives Nedjma to stage a unique protest: a fashion show centered around repurposing the haik, a traditional veil, into secular garments. Anchored by a remarkable naturalism and camaraderie among its lead actresses (especially from Khoudri and Shirine Boutella), Papicha—a highlight of Cannes’ Un Certain Regard section—tells an unflinching story of resistance and resilience, and marks an inspired, sometimes harrowing debut for Mounia Meddour. The film earned Meddour the AMPAS Gold Fellowship Award for Women and also won César Awards for Best First Film and Best Female Newcomer.