Paris, 1993.
Selma, 17, lives in a bourgeois and secular Berber family. When she meets and is strongly attracted to Julien, a dashing young man, she realizes for the first time the heavy rules of her patriarchal family and how they affect her intimacy.
As Islamism takes over her country of origin and her family crumbles, Selma discovers the power of her own desire. She must resist and fight. Through the strength of her people, she starts walking down the path of what it means to become a free woman.
Selma, 17, lives in a bourgeois and secular Berber family. When she meets and is strongly attracted to Julien, a dashing young man, she realizes for the first time the heavy rules of her patriarchal family and how they affect her intimacy.
As Islamism takes over her country of origin and her family crumbles, Selma discovers the power of her own desire. She must resist and fight. Through the strength of her people, she starts walking down the path of what it means to become a free woman.
Director
Born in Paris of Algerian parents, Kamir Aïnouz lived seven years in Los Angeles where she studied film writing at UCLA and participated in various filmmaking workshops at USCSchool of Cinematic Arts. Sister of renowned Brazilian-Algerian director Karim Aïnouz, Kamir has been developing original content inspired by her dual Algerian and French culture.
She has also worked as a screenwriter for cinema and television, notably on “Lol USA” by Lisa Azuelos.
Honey Cigar is her directorial debut. Her original script was selected at the Rawi Screenwriters Lab with the Sundance Institute and awarded the Fondation Beaumarchais-SACD cinema grant.
She has also worked as a screenwriter for cinema and television, notably on “Lol USA” by Lisa Azuelos.
Honey Cigar is her directorial debut. Her original script was selected at the Rawi Screenwriters Lab with the Sundance Institute and awarded the Fondation Beaumarchais-SACD cinema grant.
Cast & crew
CAST
Zoé Adjani
Amira Casar (At Eternity’s Gate, Call me by your Name)
Lyes Salem (Abou Leila, The Man from Oran)
Louis Peres (How I Became a Super Hero)
PRODUCERS
Christine Rouxel (Houba! On the Trail of the Marsupilami, Babies)
Marie-Castille Mention-Schaar (Heaven Will Wait, Once in a Lifetime)
COPRODUCERS
Luc et Jean-Pierre Dardenne
Delphine Tomson
Dany Boon
Malek Ali Yahia
DOP
Jeanne Lapoirie
EDITOR
Albertine Lastera
Festivals and awards
- VENICE GIORNATE DEGLI AUTORI - OPENING FILM
- TOFIFEST
- THESSALONIKI IFF
- SEVILLE EUROPEAN FF
- CINEUROPA IFF
- HELSINKI IFF
- NEW ZEALAND
- SYDNEY IFF
- TUBINGEN IFF
- CINEMANIA
- MINSK IFF
- LEEDS IFF
- MIAMI IFF
- MOSCOW IFF
- JEONJU IFF
- TOFIFEST
- AMMAN IFF (Best Arab Feature Length)
“Adjani is impressively natural.”
“In the headstrong Selma, viewers may
see shades of Lady Bird. In the plight of a
young woman seeking liberation, Mustang
might also spring to mind. Honey Cigar
should earn a continued audience.”
see shades of Lady Bird. In the plight of a
young woman seeking liberation, Mustang
might also spring to mind. Honey Cigar
should earn a continued audience.”
