Top 100 Most Anticipated Foreign Films of 2022: #39. Mounia Meddour’s Houria

Houria

Another Un Certain Regard breakout filmmaker, Mounia Meddour quietly began filming her sophomore film this past September on a project that reunited her with her Papicha (César Award for Best First Feature Film) stars Lyna Khoudri and Amira Hilda Douaouda. Filmed in Algeria and France, Houria pursues the female empowerment agenda looking at personal triumphant tussling with personal tragedy. Rachida Brakni stars as well. She reteams with cinematographer Léo Lefèvre (most recently worked on Luzzu) The Ink Connection’s Xavier Gens (Meddour’s hubby) and Gregoire Gensollen will produce with High Sea Productions’ Patrick André.

Gist: Khoudri stars as a young woman who is passionate about ballet dancing and experiences a trauma. Following this personal tragedy, she meets other women who have experienced similar situations and finds a creative way to pursue her passion.

Release Date/Prediction: It might be tight for a Cannes launch, so we’re thinking this is either a return to the Un Certain Regard section or even a Directors’ Fortnight showing.