The recent César Awards made headlines by honoring “Four Daughters,” a gripping documentary by Kaouther Ben Hania, as the Best Documentary. The ceremony, held at the iconic Olympia Theater in Paris, also celebrated “Anatomy of a Fall” as the Best Film. During her acceptance speech, Ben Hania drew attention to the dire situation in Gaza, emphasizing the urgent need to stop the violence, particularly against innocent children.
“Four Daughters” tells the poignant story of Olfa Hamrouni, a resilient Tunisian mother raising four girls in the tumultuous aftermath of the Arab Spring. As two of her daughters become ensnared by the extremist ideologies of ISIS and journey to Libya, the film delves into their radicalization with compelling reenactments and stellar performances by acclaimed actors like Hind Sabri.
🔴 #Cesar2024
✔️«Il faut que le massacre cesse»
✔️«On va pas se taire»✅ Plusieurs lauréats des Cesar 2024, dont Kaouther Ben Hania ont eu un mot pour #Gaza & les populations victimes de guerre dans leurs discours#FreePalestine#Cease_fire_In_Gaza_Now pic.twitter.com/DX8M0IT3hH
— FRANCE MAGHREB 2 🎙️ (@France_Maghreb2) February 23, 2024
Despite stiff competition from films like “On the Adamant” by Nicolas Philibert, “Four Daughters” emerged as a standout, solidifying its reputation as a cinematic gem. Produced in collaboration with esteemed partners like Tanit Films, Cinetelefilms, and Twenty Twenty, with support from organizations like the Red Sea Film Festival Foundation, ZDF/Arte, and Jour2Fête, the documentary has garnered widespread acclaim.
Following its win, the Red Sea Film Festival expressed pride in their contribution to the project through the #RedSeaFund. Distributed in the U.S. by Kino Lorber, “Four Daughters” has exceeded expectations at the domestic box office, surpassing $100,000 in earnings, a testament to its resonance with audiences.
In a year filled with exceptional storytelling, “Four Daughters” stands out as a powerful exploration of resilience and the human spirit, reminding us of the profound impact of cinema in fostering empathy and understanding.
