Saguenay international
short film festival

Synopsis

Two women meet at a bus stop in Morocco, on an almost deserted highway. One is veiled, the other is not. They ignite at first sight and judge each other. Time passes by, the bus doesn't arrive. Alone and desperate in the middle of nowhere, they gradually open up and show their vulnerabilities.

Production :
Les Émotives
Distribution :
Spira
Contact :
Sound designer :
Romy Boutin St-Pierre
Cast :
Oumaima Barid and Rooa Idali
Director :
Romy Boutin St-Pierre, Nada Cheddadi and Karima Zouhair
Editing :
Rooa Idali
Cinematographer :
Mathieu Huard

In competition for :


Canadian Grand prize

Jury Award

FIPRESCI award

Audience award Official competition

Shoot no matter what Award

Best Youth Short Film

Best Quebec youth film

Direction
  • Romy Boutin St-Pierre

    I, Romy Boutin St-Pierre, have a strong bond with Morocco, where I had the opportunity to study cinema and practice my Moroccan dialect in various local cultural contexts. Having briefly worn the veil in Morocco, I asked myself several personal questions about its meaning and impact. In an era marked by polarization, Sara & Fatima is my way of helping open up dialogue around this symbol that is often misunderstood and reduced to preconceived ideas.

  • Karima Zouhair

    I, Karima Zouhair, a veiled filmmaker from an Amazigh (indigenous Moroccan) village in Morocco, wear my cultural heritage and lifestyle choices with pride. Yet, to this day, I can still notice how many preconceived notions still surround women like me. Sara & Fatima is a way for me to enrich the portrayal of Muslim women and Islam on screen by highlighting the core values that unite us: sharing, benevolence, justice, freedom, trust and forgiveness; values that can be found in both veiled and unveiled women.

  • Nada Cheddadi

    I, Nada Cheddadi, grew up between Morocco and Canada, and I observe that the generation of young Muslims to which I belong finds itself at the crossroads of several ideologies, between religion, culture and Western influences. The characters of Sara and Fatima represent this duality. Both are grappling with the same questions, juxtaposing their values and life choices. Two battling worlds who at the end, come to realize that there's a little of both in each. Through Sara & Fatima, I hope to support all those wondering about the best way to reconcile faith, values and identity, by showing them that doubt is a natural part of our personal journey.