Impact Days Catalogue
fifdh
By Nadia Fares and Nadia Fares

Big Little Women

Lettre à mon père
IMPACT DAYS

Big Little Women talks about the rebellion and the determination of three generations of women who have been fighting against patriarchy, and whose freedom has been threatened; a documentary with mixed emotions, action and reflection, past and present. Nawal Al Saadawi, aged 90, is a writer, psychiatrist and women’s rights activist. Nawal recounts her freedom through her personal story and her revolutionary spirit. She still fights today for women’s rights. Talking about her own story, as well as her father’s and her mother’s, Nadia Fares’ view explores the notion of patriarchy on both sides of the Mediterranean and juxtaposes with humour two very different cultures: Bern and Cairo.  Following on from the aborted Arab Spring, the younger generation of women decide to ride their bikes to free themselves and distribute meals to the poorest in an attempt to defeat many male prejudices. Big Little Women paints a touching mosaic of these rebellious women in the form of an imaginary letter that Nadia Fares sends to her father, who died in Cairo in 2014.

Sections : Impact Days, Impact Days
Country : Switzerland, Egypt
Original languages : Arabic, French, English
Directors
Nadia Fares
Nadia Fares (Switzerland / Egypt)
Producers
Agnès Boutruche
Véronique Vergari
Agnès Boutruche (Switzerland)
Véronique Vergari (Switzerland)
Luna films
Duration
90’
Completion
2022
Impact Statement
This film is aimed at a large audience, since it is a topical societal issue which concerns us all. The film is for those interested in history (thanks to the testimony of Nawal el Saadawi), the history of Arab countries, women, members of associations fighting for gender equality, to those active in foreign policy, to Swiss people, Egyptians, cinephiles, festival-goers, TV viewers (RTS, Arte). At the beginning of the 1970s, Nawal El Saadawi, a strong figure of the feminist movement and a doctor in Egypt, published a work entitled “Women and Sex”. This book has proved very popular with young people. To this day, it remains subject to censorship. It is in this post-Arab Spring context that binational director Nadia Fares, wishes to approach, through her own gaze, the notion of patriarchy between Switzerland and Egypt. The film supports the cause for women’s freedom and equality around the world.
We aim to empower women's voices and rights globally, fostering a movement for equality, freedom, and meaningful political discourse
Impact Goals
  1. To share and transmit across generations, the benefits of fighting for equality and freedom of expression.
  2. To inform the world about what is happening to women abroad (of this culture).
  3. To create debate in the political world on the acceptance of women’s freedom.
  4. To support women who struggle at the expense of their lives.
Impact Strategy
  • Organize projections in remote neighbourhoods, schools and shelters.
  • Participate in workshops on women’s fight for equality and freedom of expression.
  • Educate the media (press, social networks, radio, etc.) who can then talk about our film and report on the cause.
  • Organize meetings after the screenings between the film’s protagonists and young women who might be in trouble.
  • Be part of the cultural mediation in North Africa.
Contact
Primary contacts
Agnès Boutruche (Switzerland): agnes.boutruche@framevox.com
Véronique Vergari (Switzerland): veronique@lunafilms.ch
Participants present at the Impact Days
Agnès Boutruche (Switzerland)
Véronique Vergari (Switzerland)

Funders
Swiss Federal Office of Culture
Cinéforom
Suissimage
UBS Fondation
Ernst Göhner Stiftung

Broadcasters
RTS

Funders
Swiss Federal Office of Culture
Cinéforom
Suissimage
UBS Fondation
Ernst Göhner Stiftung

Broadcasters
RTS