The Source

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 :)

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.

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")

The Source is an excellent Arabic movie about the social modernization of the Maghreb back country, that westerners can easily associate with.

The good. Powerful subjects. Extremely compelling story, touching and full of emotions. Tightly built scenario. Nice B and C stories. Very realistic characters. Actual setting, nothing fake.

The bad. Nothing.

The ugly. Nothing.

The result. Many can enjoy this flick, but highly recommended to anyone who like social justice, grass root non-violent movements, or tales set in a simple village. Not recommended to those who like slick movies.

A brilliant, delicate, delicious & poetic movie. The music (composed by Armand Amar) is superb. Radu Mihaileanu knows to picture the tragedy with a big touch of love and hope. The movie denounces the injustices that live the majority of women in the Arab countries, with a touch of beauty and comedy. Radu Mihaileanu shows us that to change the reality without violence is still possible in this violence world. Another jewel from this amazing director who surprised us in the past with incredibly beautiful and powerful movies such as "Train the vie" (1998), "Va, vis et deviens" (2005) and "Le concert" (2009). Antonia Tejeda Barros (Madrid, Spain).