PODCAST | Matt Micucci interviews Adila Bendimerad and Damien Ounouri, directors of the film The last queen.
An interview with Adila Bendimerad and Damien Ounouri, directors of The last queen. The film premiered at the Giornate degli Autori, the parallel and independent section of the 79th Venice International Film Festival, and Bendimerad also plays the film’s leading role. Together, they talk about defying conventions in Algerian cinema, not least of all by doing a period adventure drama. They also talk about the story behind the myth of Queen Zaphira, and they describe the film a passion project, on which they worked for seven years..
The last queen: Algeria, 1516. The pirate Aroudj Barbarossa frees Algiers from the tyranny of the Spanish and seizes power over the kingdom. Rumor has it he murdered King Salim Toumi, despite their alliance. Against all odds, one woman will stand up to him: Queen Zaphira. Part history, part legend, this woman’s journey tells of a struggle, of personal and political turmoil endured for the sake of Algiers.