Lila Says (2004)

Best Avoided

France/UK

Feature Film

Original Title: Lila dit ça

Director: Ziad Doueiri

Writers: Ziad Doueiri, Mark Lawrence, Joelle Touma, Chimo

Cinematographer: John Daly

Composer: Nitin Sawhney

Cast: Mohammed Khouas, Vahina Giocante, Karim Ben Haddou, Lotfi Chakri, Hamid Dkhissi, Edmonde Franchi, Carmen Lebbos

Vahina Giocante’s sexy, credible performance is the only thing of any real value in Doueiri’s adaptation of Chimo’s “autobiographical” novel - a tale of a cross-cultural romance between a provocative blonde and a shy Muslim - that never really convinces, and, with its constant promise of sex, which only leads to rape, it also leaves its viewers with something of an unpleasant aftertaste. Iain.Stott