Samia
2000 Drama
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Credits
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Summary
Samia is a teenage girl belonging to a family of Algerian Muslims who have settled in
the southern French town of Marseilles. Although lured by the pleasures and opportunities
that contemporary Western culture offers her, Samia is continually restrained by her family.
Naturally, they expect her to follow their traditions to the letter and, for a woman,
this means staying at home all day looking after their men folk. In the end, Samia
has no option but to rebel against her family and find a new life for herself…
Review
This eye-opening realist drama from director Philippe Faucon shows the palpable conflict
which can exist been newly settled immigrants and their offspring. The former seek
the benefits of living in a new country but only in so far as it does not clash with their
cultural traditions. The latter see the move for what it really is: a chance to
make a fresh start in a totally liberated society. Faucon’s film portrays
this conflict through the experiences of a rebellious teenage girl, Samia, and goes some
way to conveying the true extent of the schism that can open up when teenagers attempt
to cross the cultural divide. Although not the most technically brilliant film,
it does have impact and conveys its social messages powerfully. The cast of non-professional
actors bring a sense of hard-edged realism and humanity to the drama, reinforcing its
relevance and terrible poignancy.
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