Shedding Light on a Silent Struggle: Female Alcoholism

Actress Sabrina Ouazani is using her platform to advocate for greater awareness of female alcoholism, a subject she believes remains shrouded in unnecessary stigma. While promoting her latest film, Better Days, alongside co-stars Valérie Bonneton, Michèle Laroque, and Clovis Cornillac, Ouazani emphasized the urgent need to break the silence surrounding this issue.

Ouazani stated:

Female alcoholism, I have the impression that there is a taboo which is even greater, that there is a silence around this scourge which is a shame…it is an importent, necessary, essential subject, that we need [to address].

Her comments come at a time when alcohol-related deaths are on the rise globally. According to a recent report by the World Health Organization, alcohol contributes to 3 million deaths each year worldwide, with a important portion attributed to underreported cases of female alcohol dependence. The stigma often prevents women from seeking help, leading to devastating consequences for themselves and their families.

Remembering Yasmine Belmadi: A Painful Yet Cherished Memory

Beyond her advocacy work, Ouazani also shared a deeply personal reflection on the loss of her fiancé, actor Yasmine belmadi, who tragically passed away in a scooter accident in 2009. The conversation arose during a discussion about the 2010 Cannes Film Festival, where Xavier Beauvois’s Of Gods and Men was presented.

During an interview,journalist Nathalie Lévy reminded viewers of the emotional weight of that moment,noting that ouazani held a portrait of Belmadi during the event. Ouazani elaborated on the meaning of the Cannes Film Festival for her and Belmadi:

Some time before, we had released this film by nassim Amaouche which is called Adieu Gary with the immense Jean-Pierre Bacri and with Yasmine Belmadi who played the first role. We had the Grand Prix at the Critics Week… and Yasmine [said], ‘I am waiting for you, the steps, we must climb them together’.

The memory highlights the profound impact Belmadi had on Ouazani’s life and career, and the enduring pain of his absence. Belmadi’s performance in Adieu Gary was critically acclaimed, further underscoring the loss of a promising talent.

Moving Forward: Advocacy and Remembrance

Sabrina Ouazani’s willingness to speak openly about both the societal issue of female alcoholism and her personal grief demonstrates her strength and commitment to making a difference. By using her platform to raise awareness and share her experiences, she is inspiring others to break the silence and seek help when needed, while also honoring the memory of a loved one gone too soon.