Four Daughters

Olfa is a tough woman. She’s a solo mother who’s had more than her share of tribulations, leaving her with little liking for girls and even less of men. Lacking a reliable partner, she’s forced to work outside of Tunisia, leaving her four daughters largely to their own devices. When she returns, the daughters have changed and the relationship is fractured. Resulting tensions take an unanticipated turn and before long her two eldest daughters, who have been radicalised in her absence, are missing – and even may have joined the Islamic State. In director Kaouther Ben Hania’s unique cinema hybrid the absent women are played by actors, as is Olfa – when her emotions become too hard to handle. The actors, their involvement and responses, become part of the story. Ben Hania, who filmed the family over several years, tells a powerful story of hope, rebellion, violence and sisterhood, against the background of a patriarchal society and swelling religious tensions. Winner of L’Oeil d’or (the Documentary Award), The Positive Cinema Award, The Citizenship Award, and Special Mention François Chalais Award (dedicated to the values of journalism) at Cannes 2023.