Based on a 2016 case in French Court, Saint Omer follows Rama (Kayije Kagame), a novelist tasked with attending the trial of a woman, Laurence Coly (Guslagie Malanda) who has been accused of killing her 15 month old daughter.
Through the testimonies of witnesses and from Coly herself the thoughts and positions of Rama and by extension the audience begins to be challenged.
Featuring an array of outstanding performances, Saint Omer is a riveting and utterly unmissable courtroom drama from acclaimed filmmaker Alice Diop.
Winner of the Silver Lion at 2022 Venice Film Festival
“It is a movie about language and testimony, mothers and daughters, and the specific burden of a Black immigrant woman who finds herself subjected to the French legal gaze.” — K. Austin Collins, Rolling Stone
2022. France. Director: Alice Diop. Cast: Kayije Kagame, Guslagie Malanda, Valérie Dréville. Duration: 2hrs 2mins. Cert: 12A.
Foyle Film Festival presents... Reel Lives
This event is part of Foyle Film Festival presents Reel Lives, a new short programme aiming to showcase different lives on screen, shining a light on alternative, lesser known perspectives, inspiring stories and people and communities on the margins seeing themselves on the big screen.
Reel Lives will host a series of public screenings, a primary and post primary education programme and some Foyle Film Festival favourites such as Cinematic Breakfasts and Dementia Friendly screenings.
