The fourth edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF) has marked an important moment for Dhafer Abidine. The Tunisian star, which has become an essential figure in Arab cinema, chose this event to present his third feature film as a director, Sophia. After finishing the shooting a few days ago, Dhafer the Abidine joined the RSIFF market in Djeddah, to discuss this ambitious project.
While his journey as a director is gaining momentum, Sophia reflects a new step in the artistic evolution of Dhafer the Abidine. By mixing intimate accounts with a reflection on the shock of cultures, this drama promises to be a work that is both personal and universal.
A family and human story
Sophia tells the poignant history of a mixed couple, made up of a Tunisian in an irregular situation in the United Kingdom and an Englishman. Their union gives birth to a little girl, Sofia, who gives her name to the film. But the family balance breaks when the father is expelled to his native country, Tunisia, due to the absence of a residence permit, leaving his wife and daughter behind him. Five years later, the latter decided to go to Tunisia looking for.
Dhafer the Abidine, who wrote the script and directed the film, explained that he wanted to create a work that is both human, rich in suspense and in action, while insisting that Sophia is not a biopic, although the idea is inspired by his life experience in the United Kingdom, where he resided for several years. Married himself to an Englishman and father of a daughter, the director explores here universal themes such as family, identity and cultural borders.
Between Tunisia and London
The shooting of Sophia Started in Tunisia on September 14, 2024, where a large part of the story takes place. The Tunisian scenes highlight emblematic places such as the medina of Tunis, the picturesque village of Sidi Bou Saïd with its white houses and blue shutters, as well as the city of Hammam-Lif, located in the south suburbs. The beauty of these sets adds visual authenticity to this story loaded with emotions.
The production then moved to London, where three days of filming made it possible to capture the other half of this bicultural story.
Currently in post-production, Sophia is expected in the rooms for the second half of 2025.
An ambitious collaboration
Produced by Double A Productions, the company founded by Dhafer L’Abidine, in partnership with the British company New Sparta, Sophia marks a first co -production between these two entities. Christopher Simon, from New Sparta, has already collaborated with Dhafer on his previous projects, in particular Ghodwa (2021), the director’s first feature film, who won the Fipresci Prize at the Cairo International Film Festival. Christopher Simon was also an executive producer of To my soundpresented in preview at the RSIFF in 2023.
A film between action, emotion and reflection
With SophiaDhafer abidine ventures into a territory where emotions, suspense and action mingle to approach universal and timeless themes. “” I wanted to create a film of suspense and action with a human vocation “Said the director.
Sophia is carried by an international cast including Jessica Brown Findlay (Downton Abbey), the newcomer Maya Céline El Gharbi, as well as Alex Macqueen, Jonathan Hyde, Kais Setti and Hiba Abouk.
By telling this story, Dhafer Abidine is not content to reflect personal or cultural experiences. He built bridges between two worlds and opens a window on family and social realities.
