“Four Daughters” by Kaouther Ben Hania: How does Islamist brainwashing work?

Inspired by the true story of a family drama that shook Tunisia in 2014: that of Olfa Hamrouni and her 4 daughters, two of whom were indoctrinated by ISIS, director Kaouther Ben Hania dazzled the Croisette with her film ‘‘Olfa and her daughters’’ which brilliantly dissects the process of indoctrination through which the Islamists operate their brainwashing on socially and psychologically fragile people.

Thanks to a thrilling narration, halfway between documentary and fiction, this film, which is competing for the Palme d’Or, has managed the feat of establishing a captivating game of mirrors between the real people of Olfa and his girls and their fictional screen doubles.