Sofia

The keynote of the festival this year has been a strong focus on female filmmakers. Among exceptional distaff side films seen here, was one by a veteran with a venerable track record, Margarethe von Trotta's documentary "Searching for Ingmar Bergman" and the Moroccan family drama "Sofia" helmed most skillfully and meaningfully by a young first tîme Franco-Morrocan director Meryem Benm'Barek - a stunning debut if ever there was one. The latter film was entered in the section known as Un Certain Regard, (A special look) whose objectives is to discover new talent and lesser known directors. To summarize the effect on the audience of Ms. Ben'Barek's opus, suffice it to say that it was followed by a twenty minute standing ovation in the presence of the entire film lineup. The story, told largely in facial closeups, is basically that of a young girl not particularly attractive, who is found to be pregnant with no presumable father in sight. Eventually he will be tracked down and a proper marriage performed but at the very end the young man, earlier a bushy haired loser but now a clean cut young nan with a proper job, assures Sofia that he will do his best to be a proper father to their child but -- cut and dry -- "don't ever expect ne to be in live with you". Sounds pretty simple but this is a subtly moving story that peeps behind every corner of Muslim morality with a highly critical eye. All the principal actors, young and old, are excellent in their roles. Clearly a case of talent plus unerring direction. The film is half in French and half in Moroccan dialect but thus is definitely an Arab film and this writer, personally, cannot wait to see what will come next from this director and her actors....notably Maha Alemi in the title role

Really waste of time i saw an empty film with no story and most importantly no acting. Just some people talking moroccan french language without meaning

One of the worst movies i've ever seen in my life!!! I could barely finish the 1st half hour. Poorly executed, no plot, no storyline, no acting just nothing!! The worst part that it doesn't even treat the single motherhood in Morocco, as they were promoting during its release!! A BIG WASTE OF TIME !

The only sin - the desire to say/ present too much. Family, a young mother and her less honesty, the baby and the presumed father, memories and lives together, the relation mother daughter and the friendship between cousins. And, sure, the solutions. Something seems to much and something seems be not enough. Result - portrait of Moroccan realities. Not the most precise but good source of many impressions.

Meryem Benm'Barek-Aloïsi's Sofia is a gripping and incisive drama that explores the intersections of gender, class, and societal expectations in contemporary Morocco. The film follows Sofia (Maha Alemi), a 20-year-old woman living in Casablanca, whose sudden and denied pregnancy forces her into a harrowing 24-hour race to identify the father of her child or face legal consequences.

Maha Alemi delivers a restrained yet deeply affecting performance as Sofia, capturing her fear, defiance, and quiet strength as she navigates a system stacked against her. Lubna Azabal adds gravitas as Sofia's mother, whose pragmatic approach to the situation highlights the harsh realities of their world. Sarah Perles provides a striking counterpoint as Sofia's cousin Lena, whose privileged position contrasts sharply with Sofia's precarious circumstances.

The film's tight, 85-minute runtime heightens the tension, immersing the audience in Sofia's plight. Benm'Barek-Aloïsi's direction is both subtle and unflinching, using a naturalistic style to underscore the societal pressures and hypocrisies at play. The screenplay is sharp and layered, tackling themes of shame, honor, and survival with nuance and empathy.

Sofia is not only a personal story of resilience but also a broader critique of patriarchal structures and socio-economic divides. Its ability to balance these layers without ever feeling preachy is a testament to the director's skill.

This is a film for those who appreciate socially conscious cinema that challenges norms and provokes thought. Best watched in an intimate setting, Sofia is a poignant reminder of the quiet battles fought by women in the face of systemic injustice.

Rating: 8/10 - A powerful and thought-provoking drama that leaves a lasting impression.