DIVINES

In a banlieue outside Paris, where drug dealing and religion exist side by side, Dounia (Oulaya Amamra) wants to rise – money, power, success, everything her life denies her. With her best friend Maimouna (Déborah Lukumuena) she starts out shoplifting, then pushes her way into the business of Rebecca, the neighbourhood’s dealer, whom everyone fears and respects. When Dounia meets the young dancer Djigui, her plan begins to falter. “Divines” (2016) by the French director Houda Benyamina tells of friendship, greed and the price that rising up exacts.

Houda Benyamina’s debut from France screened in the Quinzaine des Réalisateurs in Cannes in 2016 and won the Caméra d’Or there for the festival’s best first feature. Three César awards followed: best first film, best supporting actress for Déborah Lukumuena, and most promising actress for Oulaya Amamra, who plays Dounia with raw, unguarded energy. “Divines” was shown at Around the World in 14 Films in Berlin in 2016.

Shown at the 2016 edition of Around the World in 14 Films.

All films 2016 · Film Archive