"Animals" by Belgian director Nabil Ben Yadir is inspired by true events. It tells the story of Brahim a young handsome man, secretly gay who longs to come out. Yet he lives and breathes in a world that doesn’t accept him and is incapable of confessing his sexuality even to his own family. The film opens on his mother’s birthday party. This could be an opportunity to take the first steps towards coming out as the whole family has gathered to celebrate.

But as Brahim descends from his room into a crowd of relatives, tensions around his hidden sexual identity start immediately to simmer. It is clear from the beginning that the traditional and narrow-minded spirit pervading the house and its inhabitants is an unbreakable wall. Incapable of coping with this oppressive and close circle, Brahim ventures into the night, his hopes shattered. Desperate to break free, the man loosens his inhibitions, exposing his true self right there where an unleashed monster is expecting him…

This slow and powerful film, beautifully shot, digs into the various forms of homophobia, dragging the viewer in an intense, immersive journey. The incredible camera work explores through long and deep sequence shots the unbearable effects of hate.

Malaika Bova