(nathan fielder voice) Olfa needed to move past her trauma. So I hired two actresses to portray her estranged daughters and had her and her other two daughters reenact everything they’d gone through.
Directed by Kaouther Ben Hania
Four Daughters
Les Filles d'Olfa
An acclaimed, bleak documentary.
Documentary
Drama
2023
1h 48m
Between light and darkness stands Olfa, a Tunisian woman and the mother of four daughters. One day, her two older daughters disappear. To fill in their absence, the filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania invites professional actresses and invents a unique cinema experience that will lift the veil on Olfa and her daughters' life stories. An intimate journey of hope, rebellion, violence, transmission and sisterhood that will question the very foundations of our societies.
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6What people say
An astounding experiment that grows into something trippy, beguiling and unnerving. I turned to my partner while watching this to say I felt like I was on drugs even though I was not (for once) while watching this. One of the most stunning examples of the feminine grotesque I’ve seen in a very long time.
An extremely honest and open look at generational trauma, this portrays what drove two young girls to leave their family for ISIS with an entirely unique hybrid between documentary and collaborative storytelling. Honestly, I’m not even 100% convinced it’s ethical. It feels like listening in on group therapy, but the real girls direct the actors. The actors chastise the women they are portraying, and we jump in and out of roleplay all the time. It’s really something and gets moments from people that are overwhelmingly intimate.I think that Kaouther Ben Hania gets away with all this blurring because it feels like there is a real bond between all the filmmakers. She managed to create a real connection on set, and I feel strongly that these women all care for each other. Without that it’s a clear failure, but with it, it might be an inspiring process. I don’t know. I need time to mull this one over, and I may see it again at the IFC. Regardless, a unique and moving film that's a standout for the year.
Common questions
What is Four Daughters about?+
The film explores the lives of a Tunisian mother and her daughters, using professional actresses to reenact family history and navigate the traumatic disappearance of two siblings to extremist groups.
Who directed Four Daughters?+
Kaouther Ben Hania directed the 2023 film, building on her reputation as a prominent Tunisian filmmaker known for blending documentary and narrative forms.
Has Four Daughters won any awards?+
The film received significant critical acclaim, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary Feature in 2024.
