A modern cinematic retelling of an ancient Greek comedy set in North Africa

Entertainment · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In a remote village, women initiate a sex strike to protest the grueling labor of fetching water from a distant well. Directed by Radu Mihăileanu, this 2011 drama-comedy reimagines the classic Lysistrata narrative, exploring themes of gender dynamics and community resistance through a contemporary lens that premiered at the Cannes festival.

The film, titled La Source des femmes in its original French, centers on a group of women who refuse intimacy with their husbands until the men take responsibility for the arduous task of water collection. By adapting the ancient Greek play Lysistrata, the director shifts the setting to a North African village, grounding the timeless premise of organized protest in a specific, modern cultural context. The production stars Leïla Bekhti and Hafsia Herzi, who bring the struggle for domestic equity to life.

Financing for the project was a collaborative international effort, reflecting its cross-cultural reach. While the majority of the funding, 64%, originated from France, the remaining budget was sourced from Belgium at 14%, Italy at 12%, and Morocco at 10%. With a total budget of 7.99 million euro, the film secured backing from major entities including Canal+ and CinéCinéma, alongside support from Eurimages. Production duties were shared by Elzevir Films and Oï Oï Oï Productions, with co-production involvement from France 3 Cinéma and EuropaCorp.

The film made its debut on the global stage during the 2011 Cannes Film Festival, where it was selected for the main competition. Following its festival premiere on May 21, 2011, the movie saw a wider release in France on November 2, 2011, handled by EuropaCorp Distribution. The project stands as a notable example of how classical themes can be successfully transposed into different geographies and eras to highlight enduring social issues, specifically the division of labor and the power of collective action within a community.

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