The Source (2011)
"La source des femmes" (original title)

A comedy/drama set in a village and centered on a battle of the sexes, where women threaten to withhold sexual favors if their men refuse to fetch water from a remote well.

Director:

Radu Mihaileanu

Writers:

Radu Mihaileanu (scenario), Alain-Michel Blanc (scenario),

Stars:

Leïla Bekhti, Hafsia Herzi, Hiam Abbass

3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Leïla Bekhti	...	Leila
Hafsia Herzi	...	Loubna / Esmeralda
Hiam Abbass	...	Fatima
Saleh Bakri	...	Sami
Biyouna	...	Vieux Fusil
Sabrina Ouazani	...	Rachida
Karim Leklou	...	Karim
Mohamed Majd	...	Hussein
Mohamed Tsouli	...	L'imam
Omar Azzouzi	...	Le cheikh
Saad Tsouli	...	Mohamed
Amal Chakir	...	Khadija
Amina Boussaif	...	Nawale
Nadia Zaoui	...	Yasmina
Farida Bouaazaoui	...	Karima

Storyline

In a remote and primitive patriarchal village between the North of Africa and the Middle East, the land has dried and the women traditionally bring water from a distant fountain to their houses while the idle husbands drink tea in the bar. The educated Leïla, who is the wife of the local teacher Sami, begins a sex strike movement among the women, supported by the elder Vieux Fusil (meaning old flintlock), to force the men to bring water to the village. There is a strong reaction from the brutal men, but the brave women resist until they achieve their goal.

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Plot Keywords:

village | water | sex | sex strike | strike | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Details

Official Sites:

Europa Corp. [fr]

Country:

Belgium Italy France

Language:

Arabic

Release Date:

2 November 2011 (France)

Also Known As:

The Source

Company Credits

Production Co:

Elzévir Films, Oï Oï Oï Productions, EuropaCorp

Technical Specs

Runtime:

135 min 120 min (UK)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

User Reviews

Women of Courage

In a remote and primitive patriarchal village between the North of Africa and the Middle East, the land has dried and the women traditionally brings water from a distant fountain to their houses while the idle husbands drink tea in the bar.

The educated Leïla (Leila Bekhti), who is the wife of the local teacher Sami (Saleh Bakri), begins a sex strike movement among the women, supported by the elder Vieux Fusil (meaning old flintlock) (Biyouna), to force the men to bring water to the village. There is a strong reaction from the brutal men, but they resist until the brave women achieve their goal.

"La Source des Femmes" is another brilliant film by Radu Mihaileanu about a group of women of courage that are capable to protest against the status quo of their village through sex strike.

Like other films of this magnificent director, the story is a combination of drama and comedy in precise doses to make the viewer think, and exposes the situation of women not only in Muslin countries but also in poor worldwide areas where ignorance still prevails.

The beauty of the actresses is impressive specially Leïla Bekhti and Hafsia Herzi. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "A Fonte das Mulheres" ("The Women's Fountain")