The French film "La Petite Dernière" (The Last One), which received the Queer Palm at the Cannes Film Festival, is set to screen in the Netherlands. The film addresses the complex intersection of budding sexuality, religious upbringing, and family loyalty.
Directed by Hafsia Herzi, the story centres on 17-year-old Fatima (Nadia Melliti), the youngest of three daughters in a close-knit, religious family. When she leaves her suburban home to study philosophy in Paris, she is introduced to a new world of personal and sexual freedom. The film follows her as she makes new friends, begins to date, and explores her attraction to women.
This newfound freedom puts Fatima in a difficult position, forcing her to confront the challenge of reconciling her identity with the expectations of her caring family. The narrative explores the question of how to remain true to oneself when different parts of one's identity seem to be in conflict—a theme that may resonate with many in the queer community who have navigated similar paths between personal identity and cultural or religious backgrounds.
International Recognition
The film's thoughtful exploration of these themes earned it the Queer Palm at Cannes, an independently sponsored prize for films with LGBTQ+ relevance. In addition to this, lead actress Nadia Melliti was awarded Best Actress at the festival for her portrayal of Fatima.
Film Details
- Director: Hafsia Herzi
- Cast: Nadia Melliti, Park Ji-min, Amina Ben Mohamed
- Country: France
- Language: French with Dutch subtitles
- Duration: 106 minutes
"La Petite Dernière" will be screening at select cinemas. Check your local listings for showtimes.
