SOFIA

Unmarried Sofia (Maha Alema), lives with her parents in Casablanca. She’s in denial of her advanced pregnancy – cousin Lena, a medical student, helps Sofia out and she’s able to give birth “illegally”. The hospital, however, gives her a 24-hour ultimatum to reveal the identity of the father, failing which the authorities have to be alerted. A prison sentence is almost certain since sex outside marriage is a crime in Morocco. However, Lena’s wealthy mother Leila (Lubna Azabal) knows how to solve problems by “greasing the right palms”.

Sofia is first-time director Meryam Benm’Barek’s stunningly-filmed portrait of a society wherein men are always dominant and honour and appearances are more important than the truth.