Rachida (2003)

Overview: Rachida a young and self-assured teacher at an elementary school becomes the target of terrorists when she refuses to place a bomb in her classroom. This acclaimed debut feature offers a unique glimpse into the lives of ordinary citizens in Algeria where terrorism was commonplace during the civil conflict of the 1990s.

Director: Yamina Bachir-Chouikh

Cast: Ibtissem Djouadi, Bahia Rachedi, Rachida Messaoui En, Hamid Remas, Zaki Boulenafed

Original Language: AR

Original Title: Rachida

Budget: N/A

Revenue: N/A

MPAA Rating: PG

Keywords: woman director

r96sk (February 17, 2022)

Interesting subject matter, though as a film I found 'Rachida' a bit flat. Ibtissem Djouadi leads the cast well enough, though I wasn't invested in any of the characters onscreen. The story also felt a tad repetitive and lacking in progression. The pacing is fine, yet due to the aforementioned it does a drag in a few places - though the short 93 minute run time helps in that regard. Not a bad film one bit, but it just isn't one that I clicked with.