Algeria, 1990s. Nedjma, an 18 year-old student passionate about fashion design refuses to let the tragic events of the Algerian Civil War to keep her from experiencing a normal life and going out at night with her friend Wassila. As the social climate becomes more conservative, she rejects the new bans set by the radicals and decides to fight for her freedom and independence by putting up a fashion show.

“Unquestionably the director’s strengths lie in the filmmaking craft, including guiding her excellent company of actors in charismatic performances. Khoudri, already a known quantity thanks to her award-winning turn in THE BLESSED, makes Nedjima a captivating, strong-willed figure who lives in a state of highly-charged emotions; she’s nicely paired with newcomer Boutella, their sharp interplay providing the film’s greatest sparks.” (Variety)

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Mounia Meddour was born and raised in Algeria. At the age of 18, she moved to France with her family as a result of death threats they received during the Algerian Civil War. She studied journalism before joining the summer directing program at La Fémis in Paris. Her short film, EDWIGE, won the Ciné+ Award at the Saint-Jean-de-Luz Festival, the UniFrance Short Film Award and was featured in several festivals including Dubai International Film Festival. PAPICHA is her first feature film.

Filmography (selection): 2007 PARTICULES ÉLÉMENTAIRES, 2009 LA CUISINE EN HÉRITAGE, 2011 CINEMA ALGÉRIEN UN NOUVEAU SOUFFLE, 2012 EDWIGE, 2019 PAPICHA