Nedjma (Lyna Khoudri) and her friends are “papichas”: young, trendy, independent women in 1990s Algiers. Set during the most violent year of the decade-long Algerian Civil War, as the rise of religious fundamentalism gradually strips Nedjma of her freedom and her right to attend university, and an imposition to wear the hijab is in effect, she refuses to submit. Nedjma resists in her own way by organizing a fashion show, creating designs using the traditional Algerian haik, or veil. Through the determination of her characters, led by Khoudry's moving performance, writer/director Mounia Meddour brings hope, light and energy to these chaotic and somber times, proving that Muslim and feminist are not opposite ideals. Censored upon its release by the Algerian government, Meddour’s debut narrative feature inspired by her own memories is now the Algerian entry for the Best International Feature Oscar®.

In competition for the FIPRESCI Prize and New Voices New Visions Award

Director Mounia Meddour and producers Gregoire Gensollen and Xavier Gens are expected to be in attendance on January 3 and 4.