This is one of the most heartfelt and inventive documentaries I ever remember seeing.

Kaouther Ben Hania creates a narrative tapestry to tell the story of a Tunisian mother, Olfa, and her four daughters. The two eldest daughters, Ghofrane and Rahma, have been ‘taken by the wolves’ so Ben Hania has two actors play them (Ichrak Matar and Nour Karoui). There is also an actor to play Olfa, Hind Sabri, in case she becomes too emotional. Together, they reenact scenes from Olfa’s life in a bid to trace the path that led to Ghofrane and Rahma leaving.

It’s beautifully crafted and layered. Sometimes we see Sabri in a scene with Olfa watching and then Olfa is in the centre. The two youngest daughters Tayssir and Eya play a pivotal part and you can see the catharsis in them being able to speak truth to their mother and have her listen. Internalised misogyny is significant and it is a unique opportunity for this to be challenged.

We get to see what has happened to Ghofrane and Rahma, and the footage of them was understated but a gut punch of emotion. I have heard some say the film is exploitative, I assume of Tayssir and Eya, but I found it empowering for them to be heard and it felt like a collaborative process.

Ultimately, this is a story of how extremism can be seeded by abuse and how hard it is to break the cycle. Olfa is reluctant to admit accountability, but is treated with compassion. And Tayssir and Eya shine. You can’t help but hope for the best for them.

Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Origin: France, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia (2023)
Language: Arabic with English subtitles
Genre: Documentary

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