Dhafer L'Abidine Returns with "Sophia", His Third Feature Film, Presented at the 79th Cannes Film Festival
A Major Milestone for the Tunisian-British Film Project Ahead of Its Upcoming Public Release
The Press — Presented in the context of the Marché du Film, the main professional space of the Cannes Film Festival dedicated to meetings between producers, distributors, and investors from around the world, "Sophia" follows in the footsteps of its two predecessors and delves deeply into the themes of uprooting and belonging to two cultures, two lands.
Written, directed, and produced by Dhafer L'Abidine, the film combines family drama and psychological thriller in a story that explores the themes of exile, identity, and family breakdown. The narrative follows Emily, a British woman who decides to travel to Tunisia with her daughter Sophia to find her Tunisian husband, who was expelled from the UK several years ago. However, the journey takes a dramatic turn when the child goes missing...
Shot between London and Tunis, "Sophia" highlights central themes such as forced immigration and the conflicts related to belonging. The intimate and collective aspects of the story are intertwined with the political, fueled by a permanent sense of suspense.
The cast features Jessica Brown Findlay, known for her roles in several British productions, alongside Jonathan Hyde, Hiba Abouk, and Kaïs Setti, alongside Dhafer L'Abidine himself. This new feature film marks a new milestone in L'Abidine's career, which has already been marked by his first film, "Ghodwa", awarded the Fipresci Prize, among others, and his second feature film, "To My Son", which received critical acclaim in several international film festivals.
Before its appearance at Cannes, "Sophia" had already begun a promising journey in several international film events, including the Marrakech Film Festival and the Manchester Film Festival, where Dhafer L'Abidine won the Best Director award. Through its presence at the Marché du Film, he confirms his desire to create a cinema that is both accessible and rooted in universal human problems. Between emotional thriller and reflection on exile, "Sophia" aims to reach a wide international audience while maintaining its Tunisian roots.
