Maysoon (Nancy Biniadaki, 2025): Germany / Greece

Review by Yago Tolfo. Viewed at SBIFF.

So, at first I thought the movie was something related to foreign romance. I was right, but the story was deeper than I imagine. That was a movie very emotional that made me think deeply about life and struggle. The movie tells the story of a woman whose life seems very stable but all of the sudden turned out for a major disaster. I watched this movie pretty excited from start to end because as an international student coming from Brazil I can have an idea about what was she thinking at that point. 

The story begins by introducing Maysoon, an Egyptian archaeologist living in Berlin with her partner Tobi and their two children. The first thing, Maysoon seems to have a good life a stable job, family, and future. But soon, the things start to change. Her relationship with Tobi begins to fall apart entirely, and slgo gets worse, her passport problems put her right at risk of losing everything she has built. This situation puts in a sort of a emotional pressure on her and makes her question who she is and what truly matters in life.

In the first act, the film clearly shows Maysoon’s routines and her family life. We see her care for her children and interact politely with the world around her. But then, the film slowly shifts for a turning point from calm everyday life to growing tension. We begin to feel the anxiety that she feels when the threat of losing her freedom comes closer. This shift in tone makes the film strong because it brings the audience into Maysoon’s emotional world without quick plot twists or big dramatic events.

One important thing about the movie is that it feels so real by their acting skills. The amazing actors and the drama mixed with emotions all the time. The actors gave like a calm and honest performances that help me connect with what they were experiencing in the scenes. The main character gives us an amazing performance that feels human. When I watched her scenes, I could feel her struggle inside, especially when she was trying to balance her responsibilities as a mother with her fear of losing her identity and rights.

The movie’s location in Berlin, featuring actual sites and familiar sounds, made me feel connected to the narrative. The camera frequently stays near the characters’ faces, which caused me to notice their sort of emotional shifts. I believe this approach allows the film to center on internal struggles instead of intense dramatic action.

In comparison to other movies I’ve watched that depict personal and cultural challenges, Maysoon comes across as sincere and lyrical. It does not depend on significant jumps or simple solutions. Rather, it allows the audience to experience the character’s journey and grasp her individual struggle. In summary, Maysoon is a emotional film that explores life, love, and identity. It illustrates the challenges that the character faes.