Two features from North Africa have become one step closer to an Oscar after being shortlisted for the 96th Academy Awards in the documentary and international feature categories. The Tunisian docu-drama Four Daughters by director Kaouther Ben Hania was shortlisted in the documentary and international feature categories, while Moroccan film Mother of All Lies was shortlisted in the best international feature film category.
Four Daughters paints a gripping picture of a mother’s anguish as her daughters become entangled with extremism. Based on a real-life story, the film features Tunisian actress Hind Sabri as Olfa Hamrouni, a Tunisian housekeeper in her forties from a poor background, who has seen her two teenage daughters become radicalized, run away, join Daesh in Libya, and end up imprisoned there following an American attack. The movie was previously awarded the L’Oeil d’or award for best documentary following its premiere at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.
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Ben Hania shared the prestigious award with Moroccan director Asmae Al Moudir for Mother of All Lies, which highlights the story of the director herself as she explores her family history. The production was done between Morocco, Egypt, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.
Ben Hania and Al Moudir’s films are competing with The Zone of Interest, Trần Anh Hùng’s The Taste of Things, and Aki Kaurismäki’s Fallen Leaves, among others, which were shortlisted for the international feature film prize.
Fifteen films from each category will advance to the next round of voting for the 96th Academy Awards, with the final nominations to be announced on Jan. 23. The Oscars will be held on Mar. 10.
