French Film Festival: Divertimento

French with English subtitles.

A determined, gifted 17-year-old musician, Zahia has but one dream –to become a conductor. Her twin sister Ferrouma is also a musician and music is a life they share with the entire family. Yet, in 1995, all odds seem to be stacked against Zahia. She’s a woman, the daughter of Algerian immigrants and comes from a working-class background in the Paris suburbs. None of that plays well at her stuffy Parisian conservatoire, or at the competitions she embarks upon. Zahia’s path is strewn with obstacles, but driven by determination, passion, courage and the drive to make symphonic music accessible to all, the sisters create their own orchestra – Divertimento– based in their own Parisian immigrant neighbourhood. It will be a game-changer. Divertimentois inspired by the life of Zahia Ziouani, one of the few worldwide renowned female conductors.