The 5th edition of the International Women’s Film Festival started Monday evening with the screening of Sabrina Hoarau’s “Verbatim”, a poignant documentary on violence against women in Reunion. Close-up this Tuesday evening on Agathe Riedinger’s “Rough Diamond”, the story of a hyperconnected young woman dreaming of becoming famous thanks to reality TV.
HA / Précilla Etheve
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Published on November 26, 2024 at 10:57 a.m.,
updated November 26, 2024 at 10:58 a.m.
Women and the 7th art are in the spotlight this week in Reunion. The International Women’s Film Festival highlights the work of these professionals who are producers, directors, actresses, screenwriters and even decorators. A 5th edition marked by a particularly rich and varied program.
The festival started Monday evening at the Cité des Arts, in Saint-Denis, with the preview screening of “Verbatim”, the documentary by Reunion Islander Sabrina Hoarau on the issue of violence against women in the department.
Asked in Gran Matin about Réunion La 1ère, Edith Semmani, the organizer of the Festival, recalled the importance of‘art and culture as “tool of repair, healing and emancipation“.
Watch this extract from Grand Matin on Réunion la 1ère:
This Tuesday, November 26, it’s time for “Diamant Brut”, the first feature film by Agathe Riedinger which will once again be shown in preview, at 7 p.m., at the Ciné Grand Sud in Saint-Pierre. The director tells the story of Liane, a 19-year-old bimbo who is proud to share her first casting for a reality TV on her social networks.
The role is played by Malou Khebizi, a young actress herself spotted in a wild casting call. She explains that under her status as a bimbo, the character she plays is above all in search of fame to escape poverty.
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“For her, it represents everything, an escape, an opportunity to be loved, recognized and to feel visible, because she feels extremely invisible and therefore it is very important“, Malou Khebizi tells us.
The film denounces the excesses of reality TV shows, with these young women put on a show for buzz. The fact remains that it is also the chance of a lifetime for these candidates for celebrity. “Despite everything today, it is a real alternative to unemployment, a real opportunity for people from working-class backgrounds.“, estimated Little Khebiza.
A very strong first experience for the young 21-year-old actress. “I still had some prejudices and it was an experience that profoundly changed me, which also changed my outlook on reality TV candidates.“. An unexpected spotlight also for the young Marseille native: with her first feature film, Malou Khebizi is one of the 15 female revelations of 2025 for the Césars.
The entire program of the Festival du Film au Féminin can be found by clicking here on the event web page. Also worth discovering is the documentary “Black Far West”, a dive into a little-known part of history directed by the talented Cécile Denjean, who will be present to discuss with the public after the screening which will also take place this Tuesday evening but on the Moufia campus (Amphi Ottino).
