This is one very affecting movie, a type of film that fills you with a sense of real people feeling real emotions --nothing is fake, all the characters and all their needs are as real and painful as it gets. And just as in life, nothing is resolved in a satisfying ending.

The lead actress is one very ambitious young lady, Oulaya Amamra, who will make her mark on cinematic history soon, but you might want to catch her in her early stage to see how she progresses quickly to Meryl Streep (or at least Jennifer Lawrence) status. Her character's name is Dounia, and she is a daughter of the town slut in a Roma (Gypsy) camp.

Her best friend, Maimounia, a black girl, daughter of a Muslim priest, is as lovable as they come. The two of them conspire to become rich. Even though they achieve the goal, it eludes them in a way that is completely unfair, yet realistic. There is no simple resolution, and therefore, the film is just like life: it is completely and utterly unfair.

Although the plot seems simple, it is extremely more complex and a summary of the action doesn't do justice to the story. Dounia has a love-hate relationship with a male dancer that takes too much away from the rest of the film, and the scenes of the dancer are way over long and unnecessary, but thankfully it is the relationship that she has with her best female friend that is the true heart of the film.

To say more would detract from one's enjoyment of the twists and turns that ensue during the course of the film. Rest assured, you will be glad you spent time in the company of the actresses and the female director of this very impressive film.

'Divines' is the debut film and the only feature film made so far by French director Houda Benyamina. Presented at Cannes in 2016, it made an excellent impression, receiving the Camera d'Or award, followed by nominations and distinctions at other festivals and three Cesar awards that year. Well deserved, because it's not only one of the best directorial debuts I can remember, but also about a painful and emotional film about love and youth in a world that doesn't give too many chances to those on the fringes of society. The film ends with a violent demonstration and a confrontation between the police and young people in the 'banlieus' - the suburbs of the metropolis - such as we often see on television about Paris and other major cities around the world. This seemingly meaningless violence is what most of us get from the news. Houda Benyamina's film, largely inspired by her own experience including participating in demonstrations and violent riots in 2005, describes one of the possible paths that lead to what we see in the news and live in the contemporary world.

"Divines' is a film that tells a lot about the economically and socially disadvantaged, about the cosmopolitan and violent world of the 'banlieus' but it is and or maybe especially is a film about friendship. From this point of view, it reminded me of the movie with which Cristian Mungiu had conquered Cannes a decade before - '4 months, 3 weeks and 2 days'. There as well the painful social theme was doubled by that of the friendship between two girls trying to survive on the margins of society and despite its laws. In 'Divines' Dounia (Oulaya Amamra),the daughter of a Roma prostitute, and Maimouna (Déborah Lukumuena),coming from a traditional African Muslim family, are two teenagers who join forces to try to escape from the social condition of the periphery and from the family environments of each. The only solution they have at hand is to get involved in the local crime scene - starting with small stealing from the supermarket, continuing with drug trafficking and reaching larger scale thefts. Their dreams are the dreams of any teenager, but the solutions to honestly reach a change do not seem to exist, or in any case none is considered by the girls. Even when the opportunity for a change appears for Dounia, embodied by Djigui (Kevin Mischel),a dancer in a modern dance troupe, with whom she starts a timid relationship that seems to have a chance at some point, the odds are against. The chances of escaping their conditions for young people in their category look in this film minimal or non-existent. Is this the reality or self-destruction? Hard to tell.

Director Houda Benyamina manages to combine the assertive sincerity of social messages with the careful construction of characters and situations.The in-depth knowledge of the environment that she brings to the screens and of the typology of the characters is obvious. In the role of Dounia Oulaya Amamra is impressive, a combination of street intelligence and survival instinct, determination and vulnerability. The friendship between the two teenagers will stay in the memory of the viewers. The two hope and dream, they make mistakes like any teenager and they break the law , but they are primarily victims of social pressures and suffocating family environments. The scenes in which the two girls walk the streets of Paris, in imagination and reality, are among the best of the film. I don't know what director Houda Benyamina has done since 'Divines'. Her filmography is empty since then. I hope that she prepares her future films. After such a debut, my expectations are high.

If there is one reason to love Netflix it is because it gives you access to films like these in the comfort of your own home. No need to venture to your closest city and pay $13+. You can cry, laugh, yell at the screen, and not worry about someone else's watching experience while doing so. With all that said, let's talk about Divines.

Characters & Story

Dounia (Oulaya Amamra)

When you grow up in a Roma camp with a mom who is not only embarrassing but seems to lack maturity, it makes your desire for a better life skyrocket. Something past being a simple receptionist, but making big money, millions even. That is Dounia's dream and she plans on bringing best friend Maimouna (Déborah Lukumuena) right with her. Though, to get to those heights, they need to work with Rebecca (Jisca Kalvanda) who is a local hoodlum who seemingly runs a big part of their estate's dope dealings.

But, along the way to rising up through the ranks, so comes Djigui (Kevin Mischel). A dancer who originally is just someone Dounia, with Maimouna, watch from the rafters. However, after a spitting contest, and him chasing Dounia, so begins something more than either expected.

However, with a life of crime and this young man going places, which life will Dounia choose? Which life will be available to her and ultimately, can her dreams come true despite all that she has done?

Highlights

Experience Friendship

It isn't clear when Dounia and Maimouna's friendship started, but similar to Girlhood, it is beautiful to watch two girls empower each other, be ride or die for one another, and have this sisterhood like bond which is enviable. For while often it seemed Maimouna was just along for the ride, she never fell prey to just being the big black best friend. For whether it was showing us her parents, us understanding how deeply she believed in her faith and how that influenced her, she wasn't made out to be shallow.

A Cute Love Affair

Though certainly not a huge part of the film, it was hard to not swoon a bit when it came to Dounia and Djigui's relationship. For while Amamra's youthfulness made you question if Djigui was too old for her, you can't help but lose yourself in the type of romance you could see being its own movie. For their scenes dancing together and you being able to tell he is definitely her first love, oh my god it makes you want to squeal.

The Desire For More

What is always necessary, but not always done, is understanding the motive and what drives the characters. With this film, it is clear from Dounia to Samir (Yasin Houicha) and everyone in between. For whether it is Maimouna sticking with Dounia because she makes her feel wanted, beautiful and free; Samir desiring Rebecca's approval for she calls him her brother and it makes him feel good; or Djigui wanting to dance because of the feeling it gives him, everyone's motives are clear.

The one especially clear though is Dounia who between seeing her mother, a lecture from her teacher, and the environment she grows up in, sees crime and drugs as the easiest way to stability and money. So whether it is robbing someone to prove herself, figuring out how to drive a scooter to be more useful, or even how to go from a plain Jane to a seductress, she figures out a way and seeing her do so is something to watch.

Oulaya Amamra

Leading to the last bit of praise required: That for the lead Ms. Amamra. To me she is unknown and with only a handful of films before this, mostly shorts, for her to command you so well in one of her first big outings is something. I mean, she to me is the meaning of "There is strength in vulnerability" and through her eyes, you can see fear and uncertainty just as much as she can do as Tyra Banks once spoke of, in terms of smiling with your eyes.

But it isn't just all physical, in a way it is mental too. There are many a beautiful actress out there but how many can get a reaction out of you with their clothes on? Amamra does that for whether it is hoping love will be true with Djigui, that she doesn't end up dead working for Rebecca, and that Maimouna doesn't abandon her when she needs her most, she gets you so emotionally invested.

Criticism

A Cheap & Rushed Ending

Thus making me wonder why the ending that was done was chosen? I get it is supposed to represent her reaping what she sows, but it left me so frustrated. For one, it seemed like a climax and then something was done with a character to get a cheap and quick reaction out of you. Which, considering all that preceded, honestly the ending seemed like the writers either didn't want you to have closure or decided to end things there for otherwise this movie would be ridiculously long.

Overall: Worth Seeing

I hope, similar to Lea Seydoux, this introduction to Oulaya Amamra is her invitation to the world stage. For there is this versatility to her that not many young actresses have anymore for, so it seems, they are only cast due to having pretty faces and marketable bodies. And while she may have been the main focus of my praise, overall the cast each bring something to the film where while they are largely in support of her, you can't say a single negative thing about them. Well, besides their part in the ending.