The Little Sister (La Petite Derniere)
Fatima, 17, is the youngest child. She lives in the suburbs with her sisters, in a happy and loving family. A good student, she enrols in a philosophy degree in Paris and discovers a whole new world. As she begins her life as a young woman, dating and making friends, she breaks free from her family and traditions. But Fatima then begins to question her identity, wondering how she can reconcile her faith with her attraction to women.
Hafsia Herzi adapts Fatima Daas’ acclaimed autobiographical novel in which love, faith and desire collide. At first glance, the story’s straightforward chronological progression is too simple for a queer film, not standing out from the many coming-out stories that already exist. But the film’s subtleties lie between the lines. What matters here isn’t whether the young lesbians that populate the story are comfortable in their own skin or are open about their sexuality. An actress herself, Herzi always directs actors well, and she makes these characters unusually nuanced, lively and credible.
For her naturalistic performance as Fatima, Nadia Melliti won the Best Actress Award at the Cannes Film Festival.
This screening is supported by the French Embassy in Ireland.
Cork International Film Festival is delighted to return to its Principal Venue, The Arc Cinema on North Main St, Cork, for its 70th Festival edition, Thursday 6th to Sunday 16th November 2025.
The Arc Cinema Cork is home to The GATE Screen — a space dedicated to preserving and celebrating the legacy of the beloved former Gate Cinema — and an ideal spot for meeting fellow festival goers in between screenings. The GATE Screen features luxurious double sofa seats and tables, creating an intimate and sophisticated viewing experience. It is dedicated to showcasing arthouse films, including independent and local productions, foreign and Irish language titles throughout the year.
