‘Les Filles du Nil’ Explores Feminist Resistance in Rural Egypt

The Cannes-winning documentary captures the courage of young women challenging societal norms through street theater.

‘Les Filles du Nil,’ directed by Nada Riyadh and Ayman El Amir, follows a group of young women in southern Egypt who use street theater to confront patriarchal traditions.
The documentary highlights the struggles faced by these women, including forced marriages and societal expectations confining them to domestic roles.
Majda, the troupe’s leader, stands out for her determination to claim public spaces for performances in a male-dominated environment.
Filmed over four years with a cinéma vérité approach, the documentary captures both the women's creative process and the resistance they encounter from their families and community.
The film won the prestigious Œil d’or award for Best Documentary at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival and is now playing in theaters.