Movie: Fatima, a migrant mother's struggle for daughters

Soria Zeroual is a mother working to give her daughters a better life in Fatima, which screens at the Whanganui Film Society on Monday.

Whanganui Film Society's Monday night screening is Fatima - a 2016 film by French Canadian director Philippe Faucon.

"Philippe Faucon's Fatima, the richly deserving winner of this year's César (the French Oscar) for best film, is an acute and moving depiction of mother-daughter relationships," wrote reviewer Bill Gosden last year.

"The film is based on the poetry and short prose collections Prayer to the Moon and Finally, I can walk alone by Fatima Elayoubi, published in Arabic in France.

"Fatima (Soria Zeroual), the apparently unassuming author, is a divorced Algerian woman bringing up two teenage daughters in Lyon, working as a cleaner to pay for their education.

"The oldest, 18-year-old Nesrine (Zita Hanrot), is the embodiment of her mother's aspirations, determined to make it to medical school and batting off all potential distractions in the meantime.

"Souad (Kenza-Noah Aïche), 15, could hardly be more different, resentful of the sacrifices made for her older sister, and contemptuous of their mother's apparent servility.

"The embattled Fatima finds herself defending both girls against the criticisms of conservative Arab neighbours, fearing the worst for them and hoping for the best.

"This quiet, modestly realised film accumulates considerable emotional power before leaving us at a moment of exquisitely nuanced satisfaction."

Fatima is the first of four contemporary French films in this year's film society programme.

The films are presented in co-operation with the Embassy of France.

Screenings are open to film society members only (new members are always welcome and can sign up online or at the venue).

Full membership options are available on website.

Fatima screens at Davis Theatre, Whanganui Regional Museum, Watt St, on Monday, July 3 at 7pm.
The Whanganui Film Society will take a break for the school holidays and the next screening is Standing Tall on July 24.