Directed by the Moroccan Sofia Alaoui, the feature drama “Animalia” is taking part in the Melbourne International Film Festival’s official competition called “Bright Horizons”.
Starting Oumaima Barid, Mehdi Dehbi, and Fouad Oughaou, the film tells the story of Itto, a young Moroccan of modest origins, who has adapted to the opulence of her husband’s family, with whom she lives.
As she enjoys a day of tranquility without her in-laws, supernatural events plunge the country into a state of emergency. Increasingly disturbing phenomena suggest that a mysterious presence is approaching. Alone, Itto struggles to find help.
The film uses an alien invasion to comment on class, religion, and gender roles in contemporary Morocco, said Variety.
A jury co-chaired by Saul Williams and Anisia Uzeyman (co-directors of the festival’s Bright Horizons-winning “Neptune Frost”) will choose the Bright Horizons winners. The jury will also include documentarian Alexandre O. Philippe, former Camera d’Or winner Anthony Chen, Australian performer Zoe Terakes, and Indonesian director Kamila Andini.
The festival will take place live from August 3–20 at locations throughout the city and its surroundings, as well as online from August 18–27.
Born in Casablanca to a Moroccan father and a French mother, Sofia Alaoui studied Cinema in Paris.
Her movie “Qu’importe si les bêtes meurent” (So What If The Goat Dies?) was filmed in the Atlas Mountains and features all Tamazight dialogue and non-professional actors. It was awarded the Sundance Grand Jury Prize in 2020, as well as the César for best short fiction film in 2021.
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