La source des femmes

Finally, a movie dares to speak about the unspoken, about the reality behind the so-called "freedom of worship"; finally, someone has the guts to denounce the unbearable situation of women in those regions, or even in our regions because of the laxity of our democracies, ready to flout human rights in the name of a would-be tolerance! This cannot stand any more: voices have to raise, the tables have to be thumped, the headscarfs have to fall. Women aren't objects, and this movie reminds us of it well. It is time for them to get back their dignity, to take control of their lives, to become the equal of men. The movie succeeds to combine the seriousness of this situation with some touches of humor, bringing us back to the absurdity of men behaviour whose anxiety, frustration and lack of confidence in themselves led to the destruction of many women who just wanted to live.

I don't know what I'm voting on. Lysistrada by Aristophenes was much wittier, but the point of this movie is not wit.

Perhaps I'm voting on the wonder that it was made at all. We in the west have a very different view of what Muslim countries should produce given our media.

This film does not fit into that category. None that I've seen do. None proclaim death to the west. None want to commit murder in the hope of getting multiple virgins as a reward.

None do anything but examine daily life. What was set in Toronto Canada. A second was set in the middle east on the Israeli Lebonon border, a third was made in New York and now this one from North Africa. All of them were gentle films that made comments about the human condition.

And all including this one were well worth seeing. The film is a little long and the music is an acquired taste, but be patient. It will reward a patient viewer.

The sing-song politics of North Africa was beautifully used to express the position of the rebel women. They dressed up in their traditional outfits, danced and sang to let their men "have it" about not getting it. I loved this soulful picture, with no cars, no electricity and completely ethnic village surroundings. It was hilarious when, half-way through, the senior character was seen riding her mule (with a foal in the basket) and talking on a mobile phone in the middle of the desert. There was also a mobile phone in the yard of Leila's house, but it only worked in one place, and hung on a line with nobody allowed to move it. Top marks to this team for their writing, directing and acting, combining to make a powerful and yet charming film. I hope I get to see his next work.

Beautiful film screening, the actors' performances were genuine, real and beautiful. the movie conveys a message that is going in the whole middle east and north africa, the reality that blends traditional ideas and connection, with the demand of democracy, equal rights and a rebellion on parts of this same tradition, love, rebellion, attachment to the homeland, and the detachment at the same time, all was beautifully expressed in this story, in a funny, interacting way. Recommended :)

In a remote and primitive patriarchal village between the North of Africa and the Middle East, the land has dried and the women traditionally brings water from a distant fountain to their houses while the idle husbands drink tea in the bar.

The educated Leïla (Leila Bekhti), who is the wife of the local teacher Sami (Saleh Bakri), begins a sex strike movement among the women, supported by the elder Vieux Fusil (meaning old flintlock) (Biyouna), to force the men to bring water to the village. There is a strong reaction from the brutal men, but they resist until the brave women achieve their goal.

"La Source des Femmes" is another brilliant film by Radu Mihaileanu about a group of women of courage that are capable to protest against the status quo of their village through sex strike.

Like other films of this magnificent director, the story is a combination of drama and comedy in precise doses to make the viewer think, and exposes the situation of women not only in Muslin countries but also in poor worldwide areas where ignorance still prevails.

The beauty of the actresses is impressive specially Leïla Bekhti and Hafsia Herzi. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "A Fonte das Mulheres" ("The Women's Fountain")