Cast
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Soraya Hachoumi
as Soumaya
Sarah Perriez
as Aurélie
Khalid Berkouz
as Kais
Karine Dogliani
as Séverine
Sonya Mellah
as Mariam
Islem Sehili
as Sinan
Majida Ghomari
as Djamila
Assia Ait Abdelmalek
as Jihane
Benjamin De Amaral
as Fabrice Veron
Julien Lheureux
as Jérôme
Atika Taoualit
as Pauline
Farouk Bennaleg
as Shaykh Hisham
Hicham Ismaïli
as Bashir
Crew
Director
- Ubaydah Abu-Usayd
- Waheed Khan
Reviews
Thematic Analysis
As a dramatic work, Soumaya examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of contemporary challenges that mirror our own experiences. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.
Director Ubaydah Abu-Usayd brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2020, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Soumaya took approximately 16 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 103 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 144 minutes long.
- Some visual effects sequences took up to 10 months to complete.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 8 weeks before filming began.
- The costume department created over 140 unique costume pieces for the production.
Historical Context
- In 2020, when this film is released:
- Climate change mitigation had become a central policy concern internationally.
- Artificial intelligence was becoming increasingly integrated into daily life and creative industries.
- Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.
How This Film Stands Out
Details
- Release Date: February 5, 2020
- Runtime: 1h 43m
Where to Watch
