"Animalia" puts its sci-fi element into the background and instead focuses on the huge gap between the rich and the poor that is created not only by money, but with different views on religion and other aspects in life as well. It could be said that the paranormal phomenon indirectly creates a threat to the Moroccan population and its beliefs. When our protagonist - masterfully portrayed by Oumaïma Barid - finds herself close to the alien occurance, she actually comes to enlightment that is a metaphore to her emancipation and setting free. Eventhough "Animalia" leaves some questions unanswered and some endings unclear, it is a gentle and thoughtful take on the extraterestrial-arrival-to-Earth genre.
3 Reviews
Intriguing look social norms
riaz-zaman3 February 2023
The sci-fi element remains in the background of this film. The focus of the story relates to how the priveleged in Moroccan society (the 1%) experience reality differently from the majority, to the point of even percieving spiritual life differently. The director uses the sci-fi element to create an existential threat to society, forcing people to confront their beliefs about the unseen world and even other people. Overall, it was a suspenseful and interesting story, with beautiful shots of Moroccan deserts and rural life. Through this story of a young, pregnant woman separated from her upper class family, the director hints at deeper questions:
Is religion a luxury most can't afford?
What is our connection to the unseen world, even for those that don't really believe in it?
What is our connection to the unseen world, even for those that don't really believe in it?
This Movie is Pretty Weird
chenp-5470829 January 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Saw this back at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival.
"Animalia" is a story about a young, pregnant woman finds emancipation as aliens land in Morocco. Morocco cinema is something I am not familiar with and this being one of the first Morocco films I have seen, this film was pretty strange but I quite liked it a lot.
Director Sofia Alaoui has a strange approach on writing about womanhood, life, and emancipation that is dosed with ideas of sci-fi and some horror aspects mixed together. The ideas could have been messy but they worked pretty well with Alaoui's direction, beautiful visual presentation and a strong performance from the main lead actress. Quite a few good dog performances as well which was cute.
I don't wanna spoil too much of the film but the film isn't going to be for everyone. It's a slow burn film that is implemented with strange narrative ideas, weird choices, and interesting characters. Alongside with breathtaking sound design and special effects. I really liked it.
Rating: A-
"Animalia" is a story about a young, pregnant woman finds emancipation as aliens land in Morocco. Morocco cinema is something I am not familiar with and this being one of the first Morocco films I have seen, this film was pretty strange but I quite liked it a lot.
Director Sofia Alaoui has a strange approach on writing about womanhood, life, and emancipation that is dosed with ideas of sci-fi and some horror aspects mixed together. The ideas could have been messy but they worked pretty well with Alaoui's direction, beautiful visual presentation and a strong performance from the main lead actress. Quite a few good dog performances as well which was cute.
I don't wanna spoil too much of the film but the film isn't going to be for everyone. It's a slow burn film that is implemented with strange narrative ideas, weird choices, and interesting characters. Alongside with breathtaking sound design and special effects. I really liked it.
Rating: A-
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