Animal **
by Sofia Alaoui
French-Moroccan film, 1h30
Funny cinematographic object that represents this first film directed by Sofia Alaoui. Whether it’s a fantastic drama full of supernatural powers, an existential road movie about a young pregnant woman searching for herself or a biting social criticism of a Moroccan society dominated by patriarchy and money – the director deliberately covers the tracks.
It immerses us in a metaphysical and sensual universe close to that of Terrence Malick, to better question our place in the world and denounce the ravages of neoliberal capitalism, which removes us from our deep nature.
A disturbing atmosphere, but never hostile
The proposal is daring and could easily have become conceptual gibberish if the implementation had not managed, through its sobriety and formal inventiveness, to maintain a constant suspense until the end of the story. It is worn by the character Itto, a young Berber woman from a humble background, married to the son of a local potentate, who is more comfortable with servants than with in-laws, who are socially aware and built on tradition.
Pregnant, forced to drag her boredom through the rooms of a palace as empty as the souls of its occupants, she rejoices when the whole family leaves for the neighboring town to enjoy their freedom. But in the night a violent storm arises, and in the morning, for an unknown reason, the army blocks the roads and prevents her from going in search of her husband.
The Odyssey of a Young Woman
Then an odyssey across the Atlas Mountains begins for the panicked young woman to join him, aboard the scooter of a villager who has agreed to come to his aid. Each phase of this initiatory journey, marked by strange supernatural phenomena, will lead them to reconnect with themselves and others.
With very few special effects, Sofia Alaoui manages to create a disturbing but never hostile atmosphere, and through a mystical allegory – the oneness of all things – builds a harsh critique of social inequalities and contemporary materialism.
