Making its world premiere as a Toronto International Film Festival (#TIFF23) Platform program selection (films with unique directorial perspectives) is SISTERHOOD (previously titled HLM PUSSY) by Franco-Moroccan filmmaker Nora El Hourch, her feature debut.
The story follows three inseparable teens — Amina, Djeneba, and Zineb — who face dire consequences after posting a video that exposes their attacker, forcing them to navigate issues of social class, identity, and the cultural divide that exists among them.
El Hourch’s Press Statements on Her Bold First Feature Film
– A Decade in the Making: “The story came to me ten years ago. Those years were very difficult, with many ups and downs. I almost gave up several times,” she said. El Hourch balanced two jobs while writing the screenplay, drawing inspiration from her experiences on set as an extra and from her job as a waitress. “In a way, the movie was made with a serving tray in one hand and a camera in the other.”
– The Title and Its Significance: When asked about the original title HLM PUSSY, El Hourch explained that it was inspired by the infamous Trump “Grab ’em by the pussy” video. “Feminist groups picked it up and I thought, what a fantastic name for a gang of girls! I would have loved to be a part of this sorority of girls,” she said. HLM (Habitation à Loyer Modéré) in French is subsidized housing for low-income tenants. Put it all together and you have…
– Casting Choices: The film features mostly non-professional actors, a decision El Hourch described as “the most exciting part.” She discovered her lead actresses through a casting call and her own teaching experiences. Leah Aubert, Médina Diarra, and Salma Takaline star as the three teens.
– A Film with a Message: It tackles issues close to El Hourch’s heart, including dual citizenship and the notion of consent in the context of sexual assault. “I grew up between two cultures, two social backgrounds, two origins, and two religions. Having two cultures is often seen as an opportunity. For me, it was a challenge,” she said.
– What Audiences Should Take Away: El Hourch hopes the film will challenge preconceived notions and raise awareness about consent and sexual harassment. “I want audiences to come away from my film realizing that the fight for women’s equality is far from over, but that nothing is lost,” she emphasized.
TIFF programmer Anita Lee characterizes the film as a “very impressive debut feature film, beautifully crafted and written where nothing is simple or reductive. With memorable performances from the stellar cast, El Hourch has made a powerful and poignant film about and for a generation of young women growing up with #MeToo as their status quo. But that does not make their fight for agency any easier.”
The France/Morocco co-production hails from Manny Films and La Prod (Lamia Chraibi).
The Toronto International Film Festival takes place September 7–17, 2023.
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