Award-Winning Arab Documentary Four Daughters
In the main competition section of the third Red Sea International Film Festival held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Tunisian female filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania’s film “‘Four Daughters” confronts the extremist ideology of the Islamic State (ISIS). This courageous documentary sheds light on the profound damage inflicted by ISIS on Islam and Muslims, particularly Muslim women, through cruelty, sexual violence, and worldwide victimization.
The film narrates the harrowing experiences of Olfa Hamrani, a divorced woman from the coastal city of Sousse, Tunisia. In April 2016, Olfa raised alarms by accusing the government of neglecting her plea for help in finding her two daughters who had gone missing. Later, it was revealed that both of Olfa’s elder daughters, Rahma and Ghufran, had become victims of “Love Jihad” and had joined ISIS to fight in Syria and Libya.
While the Libyan forces released them in December 2021, Ghufran was sentenced to 16 years in prison in February 2023, and Rahma tragically passed away during this period. Olfa, left with her two surviving daughters, Iya and Taysir, awaits permission to meet Ghufran in Libyan prison.
Kaouther Ben Hania’s film “‘Four Daughters” presents a unique cinematic narrative by working with real-life characters, revealing the contrast between the modern and open-minded society of Tunisia. The daily lives of Olfa’s four daughters showcase genuine beauty and freedom, which drastically changes after the radicalization influenced by jihadist ideologies. The film, through the perspectives of the characters, highlights the emotional complexities within the bonds of the four sisters and their mother.
Without overt political commentary, the film delves into the human suffering of these five women, providing a poignant portrayal of the struggles faced by Muslim women in the aftermath of Islamic radicalization. It draws parallels with films like “The Cave” based on the real events of doctors in Syria and Belgium’s “Rebel,” grounded in the true story of Adil Al Arabi and Bilal Fallah, both exposing the atrocities of ISIS.
In addition to its gripping narrative, the film also explores themes of love, betrayal, and the vulnerability of women in a world often dominated by unscrupulous men.
