Algeria, the 1990s. Nedjma (Lyna Khoudri) is a typical 18-year-old student, happy when partying with her friends, passionate about clothes and fashion. As civil war consumes her country, she is determined to live a normal life. Yet as dark conservative forces are taking hold and restrictive bans are being enforced, Nedjma becomes an unlikely freedom fighter when her lifestyle, and indeed her very life, is threatened. Featuring spirited performances from Khoudri and a terrific supporting cast, Mounia Meddour’s debut feature is informed by her own experiences, emerging as a committed and energetic feminist statement, as daring as it is timely. MH

Second Chance: Wed, 13th Nov 2019