Festivals: Calle Malaga (2025) by Maryam Touzani: Finding Freedom at the End of the Street
- dailyentertainment95
- Sep 14
- 5 min read
When Home Becomes a Battleground
Calle Malaga is the third feature film from Moroccan director Maryam Touzani, known for her acclaimed work on Adam and The Blue Caftan. The story follows Maria (Carmen Maura), an elderly Spanish woman who has lived her entire life in Tangier. Her peaceful daily routine — shopping, chatting with neighbors, basking in the familiarity of her community — is upended when her daughter Clara (Marta Etura) announces she intends to sell the family apartment. Maria is forced to either move with her daughter to Madrid or accept life in a retirement community, a decision that threatens her independence and sense of identity. The film explores aging, home, and the refusal to let go of one’s place in the world. Premiering at the Venice Film Festival 2025, the film received attention for its nuanced lead performance and warm visual style.
Why to Recommend Movie: A Quietly Defiant Character Study
Carmen Maura’s Brilliant Turn — The legendary Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown star gives Maria humor, anger, and vulnerability, embodying a woman who refuses to be erased. Her face alone carries much of the narrative weight, telling a full story even in silence.Maura’s performance is a masterclass in restraint, and her journey is what elevates the film beyond its simple premise. Her Maria is stubborn but deeply human, making viewers root for her rebellion.
An Intimate Portrait of Later-Life Reinvention — Instead of simply surrendering to her daughter’s wishes, Maria reclaims her space, squats in her old home, and begins to reshape her life — even starting a romantic connection with Abslam (Ahmed Boulane).This depiction of a woman in her later years finding new passion and community is rare and refreshing, providing a life-affirming message that growth does not stop with age.
Warm, Sunlit Cinematography — Virginie Surdej’s lens bathes Tangier in warm, inviting light, turning Maria’s neighborhood into a living, breathing character.The film creates a comforting atmosphere that softens the sting of the conflict, allowing viewers to linger in Maria’s world and feel the stakes of losing it.
Themes of Belonging and Resistance — At its heart, Calle Malaga is about a woman fighting for the right to remain where she belongs, even if it means deceiving her family and breaking social norms.This makes the story resonate beyond its setting — it becomes about anyone who has ever fought to stay rooted when the world tries to uproot them.
Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/es/title/tt32429174/
About movie: https://en.unifrance.org/movie/61102/calle-malaga
What is the Trend Followed: Silver-Haired Rebellion
Calle Malaga continues a trend of films centering on the lives of older women, showing them as protagonists of full, active stories rather than side characters. It participates in a growing cinematic conversation about late-life independence, the complexity of mother-daughter relationships, and the refusal to go quietly into old age. The film embraces gentle drama and romantic rediscovery, a trend popular in international cinema where late-life characters are given depth and dignity.
Director’s Vision: Aging as an Act of Defiance
Maryam Touzani frames Maria not as a passive elder but as an active, complicated woman making bold choices in the face of pressure.
The director uses long, unhurried takes to let the character’s inner life breathe, giving Carmen Maura space to communicate Maria’s shifting emotions with small, powerful gestures.
Touzani draws parallels between Maria’s personal struggle and the historical backdrop of Spanish migration to Tangier, adding subtle layers of cultural memory and displacement.
Themes: Home, Aging, and Quiet Resistance
Home as Identity — Maria’s apartment is more than property; it is a physical representation of her life, memories, and community ties.
Mother-Daughter Conflict — The clash with Clara explores generational tension: security versus freedom, practicality versus sentiment, obligation versus individuality.
Reinvention in Old Age — Maria’s romance with Abslam and her entrepreneurial football gatherings show that life and passion can begin again at any age.
Resistance to Erasure — The film explores what it means to refuse invisibility, to fight for a place in a rapidly changing world.
Key Success Factors: The Heartbeat of the Story
Magnetic Lead Performance: Carmen Maura commands every frame, delivering one of her richest roles in years.
Cultural Context and Warm Setting: Tangier is presented as both nostalgic and alive, underscoring the stakes of losing one’s home.
Accessible Storytelling: The film uses a gentle, warm tone that makes it accessible to a wide audience while still grappling with serious themes.
Romance with Emotional Depth: The relationship between Maria and Abslam provides sweetness and sensuality, breaking stereotypes about elderly romance.
Awards & Nominations: Festival Recognition
While still early in its rollout, Calle Malaga premiered at the Venice Film Festival, garnering praise for Carmen Maura’s performance and the film’s heartfelt treatment of aging and independence. It is expected to feature prominently in European award nominations, particularly in acting categories.
Critics Reception: Warm but Safe
IndieWire praised Carmen Maura’s performance as “wondrously textured,” calling her the heart of the film.
Variety noted the film’s lush visuals and warm tone but observed that it “plays it safe” and avoids deeper confrontation with the social and political themes it introduces.
TheWrap found the romantic subplot the strongest element but criticized the portrayal of Maria’s daughter as too thinly written.
Overall, critics agree that the film succeeds most where it focuses on Maria herself, but the supporting characters and broader context feel underdeveloped.
Reviews: Gentle Drama with a Strong Lead
Strengths: Carmen Maura’s powerful performance, warm cinematography, charming romance subplot, and the film’s life-affirming message.
Weaknesses: Predictable narrative beats, safe emotional choices, and underwritten supporting roles that leave certain relationships feeling one-dimensional.
Overall: Calle Malaga is a tender, slow-blooming story that celebrates a woman’s right to fight for her home and happiness, even late in life.
Release Date on Streaming
Following its Venice premiere, the film is expected to roll out theatrically across Europe in late 2025, with streaming availability projected for early 2026.
Theatrical Release
Calle Malaga premiered at the Venice Film Festival and is currently seeking U.S. distribution, with plans for limited theatrical release in Europe before expanding to international markets.
Movie Trend: Late-Life Liberation
The film belongs to a cinematic trend of “late-life awakening” stories where aging protagonists embrace independence, new love, and agency. This mirrors the success of films like The Blue Caftan and The Hundred-Foot Journey, which find drama and beauty in the second act of life.
Social Trend: Aging with Dignity
Calle Malaga reflects a wider social movement advocating for older generations to be seen as active participants in society rather than burdens. It aligns with cultural discussions about aging in place, autonomy, and finding love and purpose beyond middle age.
Final Verdict: A Comforting but Familiar Journey
Calle Malaga is a gentle, warm-hearted film anchored by Carmen Maura’s radiant performance. While the narrative plays it safe and avoids deeper conflict, it succeeds as a heartfelt portrait of an elderly woman refusing to let go of the life and home she loves. Recommended for viewers who enjoy tender, character-driven European dramas and stories of quiet rebellion.
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