HABI, THE FOREIGNER

HABI, LA EXTRANJERA

By Maria Florencia ALVAREZ

MPM FILM - as PROD

First film - Completed 2013

Guided by her curiosity and desire, Analía begins to frequent a Mosque. By random chance she chooses the name “Habiba Rafat” and with that identity lives out new experiences. With her friend Yasmín, she becomes part of the Islamic community and falls in love...

Festivals
& Awards

Berlinale - Berlin IFF 2013
Panorama Special
BAFICI (Buenos Aires) 2013
Argentinian Competition
San Sebastian FF 2013
Film Library (not in selection)
Ventana Sur 2013
Video Library
    • Year of production
    • 2013
    • Genres
    • First film
    • Countries
    • ARGENTINA
    • Languages
    • SPANISH
    • Duration
    • 92 mn
    • Director(s)
    • Maria Florencia ALVAREZ
    • Writer(s)
    • Maria Florencia ALVAREZ
    • Producer(s)
    • Lita STANTIC (Lita Stantic Producciones), Walter SALLES (Videofilmes)
    • Synopsis
    • “Habi, the Foreigner” is a story about the search for identity and a winding path towards that encounter. Analía is 20-year-old girl from a small town in Argentina who travels to the city of Buenos Aires to distribute some crafts. While doing so, she accidentally stumbles into a Muslim funeral. Disconcerted, though fascinated, she participates in the ritual and receives some of the deceased woman’s belongings. Her task unfinished, Analía postpones her return. The city makes her feel like a foreigner and awakens in her the sense of a dormant freedom.
      Guided by her curiosity and desire, Analía begins to frequent a Mosque. By random chance she chooses the name “Habiba Rafat” and with that identity lives out new experiences. She gets a job at an Arab supermarket. She lives alone for the first time. With her friend Yasmín, she becomes part of the Islamic community and falls in love... but ...
      What is the limit to feeling oneself when one is living with an invented identity?