Mounia Meddour, whose feature debut “Papicha” opened at Cannes and won two prizes at the Cesar Awards in 2020, has pulled together an eclectic female cast for her next film, “Malika,” which will tell the true story of Malika Bellaribi. A French-Algerian woman who grew up in the Parisian projects, Bellarbi survived trauma and ultimately achieved her dream of becoming a renowned lyrical singer.
Lilya Adad, who was a finalist in “The Voice” in 2018 and performed in the popular French musical “Starmania” in 2023, will play the lead role in “Malika.” She’ll star alongside Zylberstein (“I’ve Loved You So Long”), Azabal (“Incendies”), Camille Razat (“Emily in Paris”) and Djebril Zonga (“Les Miserables”). Filming will kick off on location in the Paris region on Nov. 21.
Speaking to Variety, Meddour said the film will follow Bellaribi, charting her upbringing within a poor family of Algerian immigrants in the underprivileged suburb of Nanterre and being abandoned by her parents after an accident that left her seriously injured. Forced to spend years lying on a hospital bed and undergoing rehabilitation, Bellaribi was able to heal herself through music and singing, helped by an unconventional professor (which will be played by Zylberstein). Bellaribi’s determination led her all the way to the Scala in Milan. She also received the prestigious award of Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters from the French government in 2012.
“I want ‘Malika’ to be powerful, immersive biopic focusing on themes of reconstruction, identity, and the redemptive power of art,” said Meddour, adding that the film will also explore the Algerian immigrant experience and racism in 1960s and 1990s France.”
Meddour also said she wanted to avoid the aesthetic of traditional biopics, using intense close-ups and a complex sound design to highlight “Malika”‘s emotional struggle and ultimate rebirth.
Co-written by Joanne Giger, “Malika” will share some of the same themes as Meddour’s last two films, “Houria” and “Papicha,” which revolved around strong-willed female characters fighting for survival and freedom. “Papicha” was set in Algeria and followed rebellious young women who refuse to bow down to fundamentalism; while “Houria” was about a young woman who is passionate about ballet dancing and survives a violent attack. Both film starred Lyna Khoudri.
Meddour is producing “Malika” through her newly launched production banner, Jade Films, with Fannie Pailloux at Apaches Films, alongside Patrick André at High Sea Production.
The project will mark Meddour’s first time working with Zylberstein and Azabal, who are both established, critically acclaimed actors. Zylberstein, who’s best known for her roles in “I’ve Loved You So Long” and in the Simone Veil biopic “Simone, le voyage du siecle,” can be seen in the comedy “C’etait mieux demain” which is currently playing in French theaters. Azabal, who starred alongside Zylberstein in “Simone,” broke through internationally in Denis Villeneuve’s “Incendies,” and recently starred in “The Blue Caftan” which represented Morocco at the Oscars in 2023, as well as Mareike Engelhardt’s “Rabia.”
Leave a Reply