Carmen Maura as María Ángeles
This delightful film revolves entirely around María Ángeles (Carmen Maura), whose family, like so many other Spaniards, had fled General Franco’s dictatorship in Spain during the 1930s, to form a part of the large and bustling community in Tangiers.
Having lost her husband José Manuel some years earlier, she lives frugally on a small pension barely managing, but, after 40 years, she has become an integral part of this vibrant mixed-community in Tangiers’ historic centre, where Moroccans and Spaniards mingle effortlessly and the market below her flat is a haven for small businesses of all kinds. Surrounded by her much-loved possessions, her antique furniture, collection of owls ornaments, and above all her large vinyl record player, she lovingly waters her scarlet geraniums on her balcony, cooks her meals and is content, if clearly, lonely as well.
Carmen Maura with Marta Etura as Clara
This bliss is turned upside down when her bitter, frazzled and recently-divorced daughter, Clara (Marta Etura), turns up from Madrid with plans to sell the flat that had been left in her name for inheritance convenience and ruthlessly oblige María Ángeles to either go into a home, or go to live with them in Madrid. In shock, María Ángeles initially agrees to go into the home, and her possessions are sold off to an antiques dealer, Abslam (Ahmed Boulane). Totally unable to comprehend the cruelty of her actions, Clara is only concerned with being able to purchase her own place in Madrid with the profits, with no intention of passing any of it to her mother.
When Clara leaves, María Ángeles discharges herself from the home and decides to squat in her flat that is still for sale. She manages to gradually buy back her furniture and possessions from Abslam, who is a mature and sympathetic bachelor. María Ángeles decides to raise a few dirhams by turning the flat into an impromptu café (with beers and food) to host the fanatical football lovers of her street, gradually Abslam and María Ángeles get close and a touching romance develops.
Carmen Maura with Ahmed Boulane as Abslam
Sadly, the daughter does not change being from a sour, ungrateful person, despite some minor shows of conscience. María Ángeles’ best friend, Sister Josefa (María Alfonsa Rosso) is hugely expressive without ever uttering a word, having taken a monastic vow of silence. Nevertheless, she acts like a sounding board for her friend, who regularly comes to visit her and they reminisce of earlier times and for the discretion of the love scenes, details are expressed in words instead, as in a confessional.
Maryam Touzani filming
The film was co- written with Nabil Ayouch and directed by Moroccan filmmaker Maryam Touzani. She started out as a journalist, having studied in London, and then as an actress. After making some documentaries and shorts, she decided to direct her own debut feature ‘Adam’ (2019). As with this previous film, ‘Calle Málaga’ is beautifully shot, with the colour, beauty and light of Tangiers coming through in every shot. It is almost idyllic in the way the street life thrives and remains vibrant and wholesome. Easy to understand and sympathize with María Ángeles in her quest to remain, even the local cops eventually turn a blind eye to her football soirées. There is an intimacy in the way the film is shot and the flow is effortless. We cannot resist rooting for María Ángeles and it is deeply moving to see her efforts, but will they be in vain?
The sound design remains evocative and the music is sparse, but just right. This is a finely-crafted film. The ending is a little bit of a cop-out though, in that it remains too ambiguous and I, for one, felt cheated.
But nothing can detract from the superb, magical performance of Carmen Maura herself, wearing her distinctive red, in clothing and flower petals, and remaining at all times so instantly relatable. I hope she is properly rewarded at the festivals, for it has been far too long since she graced our screens. Looking as good as ever, it is wonderful to spot the mischievousness, that sparkled so well in the Pedro Almodóvar films that made her famous, still lingering in her eyes.
CALLE MÁLAGA (2025) by Maryam Touzani was screened at the BFI London Film Festival, and has been submitted to the 98th Academy Awards as Morocco’s Official entry for ‘Best International Feature Film.’
CREDITS: Director: Maryam Touzani / Co-Writers: Maryam Touzani and Nabil Ayouch / Producers: Nabail Ayouch, Amine Nenjelloun, Jean0Rémi Ducourtioux / Composer: Freya Arde / DOP: Virginie Surdej / Editor: Teresa Font /Supervising Sound Editor & Sound designer: Gabriel Gutiérrez/ Company: Ali n’Productions/ Arte France Cinéma
CAST: Carmen Maura as María Ángeles Muñoz / Marta Eturas as Clara Muñoz/ Ahmed Boulane as Abslam / María Alfonsa Rosso as Josefa.
