The true story of chef Zahia Ziouani played on screen by Oulaya Amamra

To pay tribute to Niels Arestrup, France 3 is broadcasting this evening the film Divertimento, previously unseen in the clear, which tells the true story of chef Zahia Ziouani.

Niels Arestrup died yesterday at the age of 75. To pay tribute to him, France Télévisions is modifying its schedule and broadcasting, this Monday, December 2 at 9:05 p.m. on France 3, the unreleased film in clear format. Fundirected by Marie-Castille Mention-Schaar, in which he shares the bill with Oulaya Amamra and Lina El Arabi. Released in theaters on Wednesday January 25, 2023, Fun immerses spectators in the exceptional life of Zahia Ziouani, a young woman from Pantin (Seine-Saint-Denis) who gave herself an extraordinary challenge: becoming a conductor. She achieved this ambitious dream through courage and hard work, and today directs the Orchester Divertimento, which she founded in 1998.

Fun : The true story of Zahia Ziouani

On screen, Zahia is played by Oulaya Amamra, a revelation of the film Divines (2016), which earned him a César. Under the direction of Marie-Castille Mention-Schaar (The Heirs), Fun not only retraces her musical journey, but also highlights the strong bond between Zahia and her twin sister Fettouma, herself a musician. Originally from Pantin, Zahia Ziouani discovered her passion for music at a very young age within the family. From the age of 8, she sang in a choir, played the guitar, then the viola as a teenager, while Fettouma devoted himself to the cello. Their passion pushes them to join the Racine high school in Paris, during flexible hours.

Fun : A fight that continues for Zahia Ziouani

But the change of scenery is not easy. Zahia remembers a sometimes hostile atmosphere. “We were told that we weren’t in our place,” she confided to Tele-Leisure. This discrimination, linked to their origins and their journey in Seine-Saint-Denis, strengthened his determination. Through hard work, and thanks to the influence of Romanian maestro Sergiu Celibidache, Zahia Ziouani eventually established herself. In 1998, at just 20 years old, she founded the Orchester Divertimento, an ensemble of 70 musicians with whom she gave more than a thousand concerts, including annual performances at the Philharmonie de Paris. Despite her success, she continues to fight. “Even today, we have to chase funding for our projects”she explained to Parisian. The path of women conductors remains strewn with pitfalls: they only represent 4% of the profession. “And I am the only one of foreign origin”she added.