Raï Story: From Cheikha Rimitti to Cheba Djenet
“From Cheikha Rimitti to Cheba Djenet”
Storyline
Raï Story is a musical journey in search of the Raï legend, Cheikha Remitti, in Oran, Algeria, where the Raï musical tradition began. In 1923, the first Raï singers performed behind screens during ceremonies to protect their identity. It was only when the music of singer Cheikha Remitti began to gain popularity among the general public that Raï music was made public, in the 1940s. Cheikha Remitti, who lives between Paris and Oran, is nowhere to be found, the filmmakers then decide to meet producers, musicians, singers like Cheba Dalila or Cheba Djenet, for whom Remitti created a wake. The opportunity, through these unique stories, illustrated with archive images, to retrace the important place of women in this musical tradition and the transformation of Raï music from the 1960s to 2000.
Cast & Crew
Cheikha Remitti
Self
Lead
Cheba Djenet
Self
Cheba Dalila
Self
Chaba Fadela
Self (archive footage)
Chaba Zahouania
Self (archive footage)
Cheb Hasni
Self (archive footage)
Cheb Khaled
Self (archive footage)
Cheb Mami
Self (archive footage)
What People Are Saying
“A staggering achievement of craft and ambition. Samia Madeleine Verschaffelt's vision lands with breathtaking precision.”
“Every frame feels alive. Raï Story: From Cheikha Rimitti to Cheba Djenet is the rare release that takes its audience seriously.”
