Writing
A rich and fancy woman, heiress of the family business, is targeted by her uncle who's willing to do anything to seize her fortune.
Rossellini takes numerous liberties with the original source material, rearranging and omitting events at will, presenting everything in a highly undramatic fashion. The film begins in the time of the Old Testament, allowing Rossellini to present the story of Jesus in its ancient, historic context.
A pioneering film from Tunisia, Fatma 75 is the first non-fiction film by a Tunisian woman, a feminist essay film, and the first in a series of powerful films about strong female figures in the country. The film was made in the UN International Women's Year 1975, and has long been recognised as one of the most important films from North Africa, but has never officially been seen before due to censorship.
Three farmers decide to leave their village, where the spring has dried up, and move to the city. Salem, the youngest, rebels because he cannot find work. A young woman plays the role of conscience to the villagers who remain in front of their televisions watching the modern world, without changing their situation. Their difficult search for work raises the issues of unemployment, rural exodus, and emigration.
Souad falls in love with Fawzi, a poor young man whose mother works as a seamstress. Her wealthy neighbor, Mustafa, also loves her. Her father marries her off to Mustafa against her will in exchange for lifting the mortgage on his land. Mustafa learns about her love for Fawzi, who had left the country. Suad gives birth to a son and a daughter. Fawzi returns after 25 years, and Suad is diagnosed with a brain tumor.
