Author: Deborah Young

The influence of a conservative new imam on a Moroccan tribal village is an economic, emotional and cultural disaster in ‘Goundafa, the Cursed Song’, which neatly embraces the simplicity of the people and their ancient lifestyle.

‘Azza’ is a whirlwind, four wheel drive tour of a hidden side of Saudi Arabia, in which documaker Stephanie Brockhaus acquaints the audience with a boldly irrepressible young woman in search of her independence.

Sarra Abidi’s slow-moving existential drama set in a remote Tunisian call center painstakingly illustrates what living a life of quiet desperation really means in ‘Looking for Ayda’.