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Razzia is a Moroccan-French film that explores the complex intersection of cultural identity, tradition, and modernity. Directed by Nabil Ayouch, the film features a ensemble cast of characters who are all struggling to find their place in an ever-changing world. The film takes place over the course of a single day in Casablanca, Morocco, and follows the lives of several interconnected characters. First, there is Salima (Maryam Touzani), a young woman who dreams of becoming a singer but is held back by her conservative parents. She secretly auditions for a talent show, but fears the repercussions if her parents were to find out.

Next is Joe (Arieh Worthalter), a Jewish pianist who has returned to Morocco after spending years abroad. He is searching for his childhood home, which has since been turned into a restaurant. Along the way, he befriends a young boy named Hakim (Abdelilah Rachid), who is also struggling to find his place in the world.

Meanwhile, Amine (Amine Ennaji) is a working-class man who is trying to provide for his family. He works as a chauffeur for a wealthy businessman named Hakim (Younes Bouab), who is obsessed with Western culture and wants to throw a lavish party to impress his friends. However, Amine is conflicted about helping him, as he feels that it goes against his values and the traditions of his culture.

Finally, there is Inès (Dounia Binebine), a young woman who is engaged to be married to a man she barely knows. She is desperate to escape her arranged marriage and start a new life, but is held back by the expectations of her family and society.

As the day progresses, the lives of these characters become intertwined in unexpected ways. They each confront the challenges of their respective situations, grappling with questions of identity, tradition, and belonging.

One of the central themes of the film is the tension between tradition and modernity. Many of the characters are caught between these two worlds, unsure of how to reconcile the expectations of their families and culture with their own aspirations and desires. For some, this tension results in outright conflict, while for others it leads to a more nuanced and complicated relationship with their cultural heritage.

Another theme explored in the film is the fraught relationship between different religious and ethnic groups in Morocco. As a Jewish pianist, Joe stands out in a predominantly Muslim country, and his attempts to reconnect with his past are met with suspicion and hostility by some. Similarly, Salima's aspirations as a singer are hindered by the conservative values of her Muslim family.

Throughout the film, the director skillfully weaves together the stories of these characters, creating a portrait of a society in flux. The cinematography is stunning, capturing the vibrant colors and textures of Casablanca while also conveying the emotional states of the characters. The acting is uniformly strong, with each performer bringing nuance and depth to their role.

Overall, Razzia is a deeply moving and thought-provoking film that explores themes of tradition, modernity, and identity in a complex and nuanced way. It is a testament to the power of cinema to shed light on the human experience and to foster dialogue and understanding across cultural and religious divides.

Razzia is a 2018 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 59 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6.