Animalia

“Animalia” – A Philosophical Sci-Fi Journey from Morocco

In Morocco, Itto, a young woman from a modest Berber background, struggles to adapt to the wealth and privilege of her husband Amine’s family. Heavily pregnant, she welcomes a rare day of respite from her oppressive in-laws—until a mysterious, otherworldly threat plunges the nation into a state of emergency. Alone and searching for safety amid growing chaos, she discovers her own awakening.

This enigmatic and thought-provoking sci-fi tale explores class divides, the role of women in Moroccan society, and the essential interconnectedness of life on Earth.

Directed by Sofia Alaoui in her feature debut and based on her short film So What If the Goats Die, Animalia stars Oumaïma Barid and Mehdi Dehbi. The film premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival to critical acclaim, with praise for Alaoui’s visionary direction, the powerful performances, and its evocative score.