London-based TAPE Collective has acquired Sofia Alaoui‘s Moroccan-French genre-bending supernatural feature Animalia for a theatrical release in the U.K. and Ireland.
The deal was negotiated by Isra Al Kassi of TAPE Collective and Margot Hervée of Paris-based sales agent Totem Films. The Animalia release in cinemas is set for Dec. 12.
The movie premiered at Sundance 2023, where it won a special jury prize for creative vision, before playing the film fest circuit.
Animalia follows Itto, played by Oumaima Barid in her debut role, “a young woman from a modest rural background who is slowly adapting to the privileged codes of her husband’s Moroccan family,” according to a plot description. “But when supernatural events plunge the country into a state of emergency, Itto is separated from her husband and new family. Alone, pregnant, and searching for a way back, she discovers her own emancipation.”
Said Al Kassi: “We have been inspired by the unique cinematic world Sofia has created in this bold sci-fi tale, which probes the consequences of humanity’s relationship to the environment, with poignant references to class inequalities and the erasure of indigenous cultures. It’s exciting to be part of this release as Sofia develops her next feature films, undoubtedly continuing her grand world-building and chilling storytelling.”
The film was written, directed and produced by Alaoui. It also stars Mehdi Dehbi and Fouad Oughaou. The cinematography is courtesy of Noé Bach, with editing by Héloïse Pelloquet, and an original score by Amine Bouhafa.
Animalia is a Wrong Films, Srab Films, Dounia Production, and Jiango Films production. Produced by Margaux Lorier, Toufik Ayadi, Christophe Barral, Dounia Benjelloun Mezian, and Alaoui, it was co-produced by Arte France Cinéma, with the support of Canal+, Ciné+, ARTE France, Centre National
du Cinéma et de l’image animée, le Centre Cinématographique Marocain, le Fonds Image de la
Francophonie, Le Doha Film Institute, La Procirep et l’Angoa, Les Ateliers de l’Atlas, and Cinéventure
Développement 7, and in association with Cinécap 5, SG Images 2020, Cinémage 16. Sales duties are being handled by Totem Films.
Watch the trailer for Animalia below.
