France / Belgium / Pakistan / Luxembourg,
2016, 98 min
Directed by:
Stephan StrekerScreenplay:
Stephan StrekerCinematography:
Grimm VandekerckhoveComposer:
Federico JusidCast:
Lina El Arabi, Sébastien Houbani, Bábak Karímí, Olivier Gourmet, Neena Kulkarni, Alice de Lencquesaing, Zacharie Chasseriaud, Aurora Marion, Rania Mellouli (more)Plots(1)
A close-knit, loving Pakistani family living in Belgium is slowly torn apart when daughter (the mesmerizing Lina El Arabi) resists her traditionalist parents' decision to force her into an arranged marriage to a man back in their homeland. Eighteen-year-old Zahira-who, in the film's opening moments, is seen talking to a doctor about terminating her unplanned pregnancy-is not the conforming type: she's as much a Westernized teen as her best friend Aurore (Alice de Lencquesaing). But her father (Babak Karimi) and mother (Neena Kulkarn), though sympathetic, insist on adhering to conservative codes, a situation that can only lead to heartbreak... (Palm Springs International Film Festival)
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