“Cultures and customs should not represent us,” says actress Zahia Dehar

The film The sea air sets you free, directed by Nadir Moknèche, is released in theaters on Wednesday October 4. The feature film tells the modern story of an arranged marriage. “They have two children who have done stupid things. One is homosexual (…) and the other has a relationship with a drug dealer. So, the two families consulted each other. It’s an arranged marriage, not a forced one. Each of the characters thinks they will benefit [de cette union]”, summarizes the director. Asked about the weight of traditions in 2023, he replied: “It’s still real because it’s in the movie. It’s fiction without being fiction. I’ve already met people who tell me similar stories.”

A thirst for emancipation

In this film, Zahia Dehar lends her features to the character of Fariza, the bride’s neighbor who will become her friend. The budding actress claims to have “always free from culture and morality”. “No matter the criticism, no matter the judgments. I preferred to fight it. I received help, because my mother agrees with me. She herself fought to find her freedom. ( …) She always instilled in me that cultures and customs should not represent us”tells the young woman who demands her freedom.