French Film Festival Excursion

Our Year 10 French classes recently enjoyed an immersive experience at the Alliance Française French Film Festival. Where we traded textbooks for popcorn to watch the inspiring story of Divertimento at the beautiful Como theatre.

This true story follows the journey of Zahia Ziouani, a passionate 17-year-old determined to defy the odds and become a conductor. Growing up in a working-class family of Algerian descent, Zahia faces societal barriers stacked against her dream: her gender, her background, and the exclusive world of classical music. Despite these challenges, Zahia's unwavering dedication and belief in the power of music fuel her quest to create a diverse orchestra.

Divertimento was truly inspirant! We were captivated by Zahia's determination and her unwavering passion for music. The film beautifully portrayed the challenges she faced while also celebrating the power of following your dreams. It was a reminder that anything is possible with hard work and perseverance, including our pursuits in our language studies!

After the film, we had the incredible opportunity to meet and speak with the Ziouani sisters themselves, a highlight of our immersion experience. Students were able to practice our own French by asking and engaging with the speakers during the Q&A, improving our listening comprehension and gaining exposure to everyday French vocabulary and expressions. As well as gain further insight into this incredible story from the musicians themselves!

Our trip proved to be an amazing way to connect with French culture and be inspired by a powerful story. We all left feeling motivated and eager to learn more about the world of French culture, and excited to put our newfound language skills to the test.

Salma F (Year 10)