The 40th edition of the Namur International French-Language Film Festival, FIFF, opens on Friday 3 October with a screening of ‘Les Baronnes,’ directed by Mokhtaria Badaoui and Nabil Ben Yadir, the organisers announced on Wednesday. The event will run until 10 October.
Sixteen years after ‘Les Barons’, which was presented at FIFF24, this year's edition will feature a new comedy by the Belgian director and his mother.
In this feature film, 65-year-old Fatima sees her world collapse when she discovers that her husband has been leading a double life in Morocco for ten years. Determined not to let fate get the better of her, she decides to pick up her life where she left off 50 years earlier, when she was supposed to play Hamlet. With her best friends Mériem, Romaissa and Inès, three other grandmothers from Molenbeek, these ‘Baronesses’ make a decision that will turn their lives upside down, along with those of their loved ones, their neighbourhood and the entire country.
‘Les Baronnes’ stars Saadia Bentaieb, Rachida Bouganhem, Halima Amrani, Rachida Riahi and Sanya Sridi in the lead roles, alongside Chris Lomme, Joel Delsaut, Jan Decleir, Pitcho Womba Konga and Medhi Zellama. The filmmaking duo also collaborated with choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui on the dance and musical sequences.
"Since the release of 'Les Barons,' my mother has always encouraged me to make a film about mothers and grandmothers," says Nabil Ben Yadir. "She feels they don't get enough screen time. So the idea, the desire, the inspiration all came from her.
"This isn't a film made by me, it's a film made by my mother and me," he emphasises.
Les Baronnes will be released in Belgian cinemas on 3 December.
