A determined young woman goes up against the Moroccan traditions where the only way for a girl is marriage and children.
Acting
Hafsia Herzi's simmering restraint—she says everything with her jaw.
Direction
El-Bouhati's autobiographical rawness; lived-in, not performed.
Director
Souad El-Bouhati
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Director Souad El-Bouhati based this on her own escape from a Moroccan village to French university; she cast Hafsia Herzi after seeing her in 'La Graine et le Mulet.'
The film sparked debate in France about 'laïcité' and whether immigrant daughters owe their families cultural loyalty—Sofia's rejection of her given name embodies this fracture.
US
