Switzerland and Tunisia / 1996 / 80mins / Drama, Romance / French

Honey and Ashes sheds light on the story and fate of three women trapped between tradition and modern life in North Africa today. Naima, a doctor, Amina, a graduate, and Leila, a young student, are pursuing their individual routes to an independent life when their paths cross. Aged just twenty, Leila (Nozha Khouadra) is a young, rebellious woman with an unbridled desire for freedom. She leaves her family and embarks on a degree course in the city. Amina (Amel Ledhili), aged 30, marries her former, liberal university professor and believes she has found a degree of stability in her life. She tries to keep her small family intact, until the jealousy of her husband destroys everything. Naima (Samia Mzali) is 45 years old and a dedicated doctor and mother. She supports Leila and treats Aminas injured hand. The three women share a longing for a self-determined life and the dream of a viable relationship in a difficult socio-political environment.

Nadia Farès

Nadia Farès is of Egyptian-Swiss origin. A director, writer, producer and educator, she graduated from Cairo University in 1986 and that same year, began to make short films. In 1989, she assisted filmmakers, Zebrowsky and Kieslowski, who became her mentor on one of her first short films, Sugarblues (1990), which won a Stanley Thomas Johnson Award. She received a Master’s degree in film studies from New York University in 1995. Farès has also lived and shot films and TV shows in different countries: America, Tunisia, France, Switzerland, Egypt and the Emirates. Her first feature film Honey and Ashes (1996), won 18 awards at many international film festivals. Her TV drama Small Differences, was part of the prestigious series on ARTE, France. She has also directed several short documentaries on social-political issues for RTS/TV5 Monde. Learn More