Lila Says

2005 1h 29m FR

😐

6.4

MID

★6.4TMDB · 108

CrimeDramaRomance

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

Chimo develops a crush on the pretty, blond Lila, a girl who recently moved into his Arab ghetto with her aunt. When the leader of a rival gang also falls for Lila, the ensuing love triangle initiates a journey of sexual discovery -- and sets off a chain of devastating events.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Where to watch · US

Cast

Vahina Giocante
Lila
Moa Khouas
Chimo
Karim Ben Haddou
Mouloud
Edmonde Franchi
Lila's Aunt
Lotfi Chakri
Bakary
Hamid Dkhissi
Big Jo
Carmen Lebbos
Chimo's Mother
Ghandi Assad
Sammy

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Ziad Doueiri
Writers: Mark Lawrence, Joelle Touma, Ziad Doueiri
Languages: French
Countries: France, United Kingdom

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

RUNTIME

Did you know

89 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Released 21 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

WORLD

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International production across 2 countries: France, United Kingdom.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Ziad Doueiri, shot by John Daly. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Nitin Sawhney. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Tina Baz shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Vahina Giocante and Moa Khouas and Karim Ben Haddou carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Ziad Doueiri directs. John Daly behind the camera. Nitin Sawhney scores. Tina Baz cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in France, United Kingdom. Dialogue in French.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

189 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.
2Released 21 years ago.
3International production across 2 countries: France, United Kingdom.
4Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.
5Directed by Ziad Doueiri, shot by John Daly. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
6Original score by Nitin Sawhney. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
7Editor Tina Baz shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
8Vahina Giocante and Moa Khouas and Karim Ben Haddou carry the top of the cast.
9IMDB entry: tt0424237 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
10Classified under 11 themes, including "paris, france", "obsession", "ghetto", "teacher".