About the movie: "Amal" (2023) is a Belgian social drama directed by Jawad Rhalib. The film centers on Amal, a dedicated literature teacher in a Brussels high school, who encourages her students to embrace a love of reading and freedom of expression. Her unconventional teaching methods, particularly her choice of literary works, lead to significant resistance from the community and put her in a precarious position.
Plot summary: Amal, a high school literature teacher in Brussels, is passionate about fostering critical thinking and open dialogue among her students. She decides to include the works of the renowned Arabic poet Abu Nuwas in her curriculum. This choice, however, sparks immediate opposition, initially from her students and quickly escalating to their parents and the wider community. The controversy surrounding the poet's work, deemed by some as too progressive or controversial, leads to a growing campaign of harassment against Amal, leaving her increasingly isolated and under pressure to conform to more traditional teaching methods. Despite the mounting opposition, Amal remains steadfast in her commitment to her students and her belief in the power of literature to open minds and encourage free thought. Her daring teaching practices ultimately have a profound impact on her pupils, inspiring them to think for themselves and question societal norms.
Director's Vision: Jawad Rhalib likely aimed to create a film that explores the importance of freedom of expression and critical thinking in education, particularly within a diverse and potentially conservative community. His vision seems to highlight the courage required to challenge societal norms and the transformative impact that education can have on young minds. The film likely intends to spark dialogue about cultural resistance, the role of teachers in fostering intellectual independence, and the delicate balance between personal beliefs and community expectations.
Themes:
Freedom of Expression:Â The film strongly emphasizes the importance of freedom of speech and the right to explore diverse perspectives through literature.
Cultural Resistance:Â The community's backlash against Amal's teaching methods highlights the resistance that can arise when challenging traditional or conservative viewpoints.
The Role of Education:Â The film underscores the power of education to inspire critical thinking, open minds, and empower students to question societal norms.
Personal Beliefs vs. Societal Expectations:Â Amal's unwavering commitment to her teaching philosophy despite community pressure explores the conflict between individual convictions and the expectations of the collective.
Courage and Integrity:Â Amal's character embodies courage and integrity as she stands by her principles even when facing significant personal risk and isolation.
The Impact of Teachers:Â The film showcases the profound and lasting impact that dedicated teachers can have on their students' lives and their intellectual development.
Key success factors:
Timely and Relevant Social Commentary: The film addresses crucial contemporary issues surrounding freedom of expression, cultural sensitivities, and the role of education in diverse societies, making it highly relevant to current discussions.
Strong Lead Performance: Lubna Azabal's performance as Amal has been critically acclaimed and award-winning, suggesting a powerful and compelling portrayal that anchors the film's narrative and emotional impact.
Nuanced Portrayal of Complex Issues: Critics have praised the film for its nuanced depiction of the conflicts between personal beliefs and societal expectations, suggesting a sophisticated and thought-provoking approach to sensitive topics.
Compelling Narrative: The story of a teacher facing community backlash for her teaching methods provides a compelling and dramatic framework that can engage a wide audience.
Recognition at Film Festivals: The film's awards and nominations at various film festivals, including wins at the DÃas de Cine Awards and Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, indicate its quality and appeal to both critics and audiences.
Summary short: In Brussels, a literature teacher's decision to teach controversial works sparks resistance from her community, testing her commitment to freedom of expression and profoundly impacting her students.
Awards and nominations (summary in words): "Amal" (2023) has received recognition with two wins and three nominations. Lubna Azabal won Best International Actress at the DÃas de Cine Awards in 2025Â and Best Actress at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival in 2023Â for her role as Amal. The film was also nominated for Best International Film at the DÃas de Cine Awards in 2025, and received two nominations at the Sunny Bunny LGBTQIA+ Film Festival in 2024Â for the Audience Prize and the Sunny Bunny Prize in the International Feature Competition, both for director Jawad Rhalib.
Critics reception (mention sites, add text, summary): Critical reception for "Amal" (2023) has been largely positive, with reviewers commending its sensitive portrayal of complex social issues and the strength of its performances, particularly Lubna Azabal's lead role.
Wikipedia's summary of reception notes that the film received critical acclaim for its depiction of the conflicts between personal beliefs and societal expectations, as well as for its screenplay and cast performances.
Cinebel, a review aggregator website, assigned the film a weighted average score of 8.5 out of 10, based on four critics, indicating a strong positive reception from the Belgian critical community.
Overall, critics have praised "Amal" for its nuanced approach to sensitive social issues, the compelling narrative of a teacher standing up for her principles, and the exceptional performances from the cast, especially Lubna Azabal.
Reviews about movie (mention sites, add text summary): Online reviews for "Amal" (2023) underscore its intense and thought-provoking narrative, largely driven by powerful performances, particularly that of Lubna Azabal.
A review in The Hollywood Reporter by E. Nina Rothe hails Lubna Azabal's performance as "phenomenal," describing the film as a "105-minutes long thriller" that compellingly explores themes of religious intolerance and the complexities of multiculturalism within Belgian society. The reviewer notes the nuanced portrayal of various characters and the film's impactful message about freedom in the modern world.
Cineuropa's review commends Lubna Azabal for her convincing and intensely captivating portrayal of Amal. It also praises the authenticity of the supporting cast's performances in depicting the often challenging journeys of their respective characters.
An insightful IMDb user review, written after viewing the film at the Transilvania International Film Festival, notes the film's thought-provoking nature, highlighting its exploration of Islamic extremism and the narrative thread involving Amal's efforts to support a Muslim teenager facing accusations of homosexuality.
These reviews collectively suggest that "Amal" is a compelling and impactful film driven by strong performances and a timely exploration of complex social issues within an educational setting.
Box office: As of March 13, 2025, "Amal" has a worldwide box office gross of $148,523, with the entire amount coming from its release in France.
Production (summary, add sentence): "Amal" (2023) is a Belgian film produced by Scope Pictures and Serendipity films. The film was directed and co-written by Jawad Rhalib. The collaboration of these Belgian production companies brought together local talent and resources to bring this story to the screen.
Production companies (name, country):
Scope Pictures (Belgium)
Serendipity films (Belgium)
Sales companies (name, country, sentence):
Bendita Films Sales (Spain). This Spanish company is responsible for handling the sales of "Amal" in the Netherlands across all media platforms.
Distribution companies (name, country, sentence):
Telescope (Belgium, Luxembourg). This company handled the theatrical distribution of "Amal" in Belgium and Luxembourg in 2024.
ArtMattan Productions (USA). This US-based distributor is responsible for the release of "Amal" across all media in the United States starting in 2024.
Cinemien (Germany). This distributor will handle the theatrical release of "Amal" in Germany, scheduled for 2025.
Cinemien (Netherlands). This company is also responsible for the theatrical distribution of "Amal" in the Netherlands, planned for 2025.
UFO Distribution (France). This French company managed the theatrical release of "Amal" in France in 2024.
Festival Films S.L. (Spain). This Spanish distributor is responsible for the release of "Amal" across all media in Spain, starting in 2024.
K Films Amerique (Canada). This Canadian distributor will handle the release of "Amal" across all media in the French-speaking territory of Quebec starting in 2024.
Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt21916652/
Link Review: https://cineuropa.org/en/newsdetail/451340/
About movie: https://btafilms.com/amal/
Link to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/fr/film/amal-2023 (France), https://www.justwatch.com/es/pelicula/amal-2023 (Spain), https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Jawad-Rhalib/dp/B0DTLM2MPQ (Germany)
Why to recommend this movie:
For its timely and relevant social commentary:Â The film delves into important discussions about freedom of expression and cultural understanding in contemporary society, making it a thought-provoking watch.
For the award-winning performance of Lubna Azabal:Â Her portrayal of Amal is powerful and compelling, anchoring the emotional core of the film.
For its nuanced exploration of complex issues:Â The film avoids simplistic answers and presents a multifaceted view of the challenges faced by both the teacher and the community.
For its compelling narrative:Â The story of a teacher standing up for her principles against mounting pressure creates a dramatic and engaging viewing experience.
Why You Should Watch Movie:
To witness a powerful story about the importance of education and freedom of thought:Â The film highlights the transformative potential of literature and the courage it takes to challenge norms.
If you are interested in the complexities of cultural integration and the challenges of fostering open dialogue in diverse communities:Â "Amal" offers a nuanced perspective on these important issues.
To experience a critically acclaimed international film that has resonated with audiences and critics alike:Â Its recognition at film festivals speaks to its quality and impact.
If you appreciate character-driven dramas with strong performances and meaningful social commentary:Â This film offers a rich and rewarding cinematic experience.
What Movie Trend film is following:
Name of the trend:Â Social Issue Drama/Teacher-Centered Narrative
Summary:Â "Amal" aligns with the trend of social issue dramas that focus on relevant contemporary challenges within a specific community. It also fits into the sub-trend of teacher-centered narratives, where the story revolves around the experiences, struggles, and impact of educators in their classrooms and communities. These films often explore themes of social justice, cultural understanding, and the power of education to effect change.
What Big Social Trend is following:
Name of the trend:Â The Importance of Freedom of Speech and Academic Freedom in Diverse Societies
Summary:Â The film reflects the significant social trend emphasizing the fundamental importance of freedom of speech and academic freedom, particularly in increasingly diverse and sometimes polarized societies. It highlights the challenges and potential repercussions faced by individuals who advocate for open dialogue and the exploration of diverse perspectives, especially when those perspectives challenge established norms or beliefs within a community.
Final Verdict: "Amal" (2023) by Jawad Rhalib is a critically acclaimed Belgian social drama that offers a compelling and timely exploration of freedom of expression, cultural resistance, and the impact of a dedicated teacher on her students. Anchored by an award-winning performance from Lubna Azabal and praised for its nuanced storytelling, the film is a recommended watch for those interested in thought-provoking cinema that tackles relevant social issues. Its recognition at international film festivals and positive critical reception suggest a film with both artistic merit and significant social commentary, and its distribution across several countries will likely allow a wider audience to experience its important message.
Comments