What I really liked about Fatima was that it did not build to a major 'movie' crisis - no one died or got into crime. These people are going through everyday problems and issues. The filmmakers recognise that these problems are enough drama, when the main character who is still negotiating a new language and culture.
As her daughters, Hanrot and Aiche are also good, but their roles are more tangential.
Stylistically the movie is unadventurous, but it works for the story. Faucon makes good use of focus and mise-en-scene to isolate Fatima within the frame. The only times she is in a secure position is in her apartment - whenever she is out of this comfort zone, she is either stuck behind other characters or framed in closeup with other characters out of focus behind her (the parent-teacher conference is particularly strong example of this visual strategy).
I generally try to make these reviews a bit longer, but I do not have much to say about this one. Watching it as someone without the cultural context of either being Algerian or French, there is probably some things I am missing.
If I have one note, it is that the movie is so short that I wanted more. On the other hand, I also have no idea what could be added.
There you have it. Fatima, an award-winning drama that won't make you want to jump out a window.
Previous AFS reviews
Purple Noon (2015)
The Servant
Eyes Without A Face
Night of the Demon (2016)
Grand Central
Tales of Hoffman
There you have it. Fatima, an award-winning drama that won't make you want to jump out a window.
Previous AFS reviews
Purple Noon (2015)
The Servant
Eyes Without A Face
Night of the Demon (2016)
Grand Central
Tales of Hoffman
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