Nisrine N
While the storyline is interesting to watch, there are some inconsistencies that hinder its believability and impact.
-Touda is portrayed as someone who has spent her entire life in a rural village, with no access to education. However, the actress, along with her parents and close friend, speak with an accent that clearly reflects an urban background, specifically Casablanca/ Rabat. This discrepancy is particularly jarring in scenes such as the one where she takes a taxi and asks about a hotel—the way she pronounces “hotel” doesn’t match her supposed rural roots.
Another inconsistency arises in the final scene, where the MC asks her in French, “What is your name?” Despite her character’s lack of education and supposed illiteracy, she understands and responds, which doesn’t align with her background.
-Touda has a deaf child and is shown communicating with him in sign language. However, the film provides no explanation as to how she, an uneducated woman from a rural village with limited resources, learned this skill.
-The film introduces numerous side characters, but most of them lack depth or significance. They appear briefly and contribute little to the storyline. It would have been more engaging if we had learned more about their backgrounds or their connection to Touda’s journey.
-In a scene where Touda’s group is stopped by the authorities while traveling from the village, the film depicts them being stopped by the police. However, in rural Morocco, such areas are under the jurisdiction of the gendarmerie, not the police. This detail, while minor, detracts from the film’s authenticity.
-When Touda first arrives in Casablanca, she’s shown wandering in the Maarif neighborhood, styled with her hair tied up and her scarf worn as a bandanna. This look doesn’t align with her rural background—she would more likely have worn traditional attire, such as a jellaba and a scarf wrapped modestly on her head.
-When Touda tries to enroll her child in a school for the deaf in Casablanca, the manager tells her to bring her child so he can assess him but adds, “Your child will be shocked.” This line is confusing and unclear. Is the child supposed to be shocked by the city’s modernity, the school’s environment, or something else entirely?
-Touda claims her ultimate dream is to sing Aïta. However, when she performs at the rich party—a moment that could have showcased her dream—she sings Chaabi instead, a style she has sung throughout the film, which leaves the audience confused.
Some scenes felt unnecessary or out of place, like the sex scene, for instance, added nothing to the story. Also the scene where Touda tries to synchronize her singing with the Adhan felt like it was added purely for shock value, rather than serving the narrative.
Another point is that in rural Moroccan culture, it is highly unlikely for a father to be supportive of his daughter becoming a sheikha, her father’s openness to her career feels completely unrealistic and inconsistent with cultural norms.
Despite these flaws, the film has several strengths, the cinematography is stunning and captures the essence of both rural and urban Morocco beautifully, the singing performances were captivating, showcasing the talent and soul behind traditional Moroccan music, the depiction of nightlife in Casablanca was spot-on, illustrating the vibrancy and complexity of the city’s after-dark culture. Overall, i would rate the film a 6/10, a visually impressive movie with potential, but one that falls short in delivering a cohesive and believable narrative.
Rated 2.5/5 Stars •
Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars
12/22/24
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