In Everybody Loves Touda, director Nabil Ayouch presents a poignant portrait of a determined woman striving for freedom and recognition through her passion for traditional Moroccan music. The story follows Touda, portrayed with captivating intensity by Nisrin Erradi, as she navigates a harsh, male-dominated world. A provincial singer dreaming of performing Aita, a powerful genre of vocal poetry, Touda faces not only the physical and emotional tolls of the male gaze but also the systemic obstacles that threaten to crush her dreams. Her ultimate goal is to break free from the confines of her small town, reach the brighter stages of Casablanca, and provide a better life for her deaf-mute son.At its heart, Everybody Loves Touda is a study in resilience and self-assertion and a film about belief, emancipation and transcendence. Touda’s journey from the seedy bars of her hometown, where she endures abuse and degradation, to the elevated world of professional Aita singing is fraught with challenges. Despite these hardships, Touda’s performance, particularly in musical sequences, reveals a woman fully in command of her art, even as her personal life remains tumultuous. Erradi’s powerful singing and her raw emotional portrayal ground the film, ensuring Touda’s character is one viewers cannot ignore. Ayouch’s collaboration with co-writer Maryam Touzani emphasizes Touda’s quest for agency in a world that seems determined to hold her back. Ultimately, Everybody Loves Touda leaves a lasting impression, not just for its musical exuberance but for its exploration of a woman’s fight to define her own path. Erradi’s mesmerizing presence and Ayouch’s deft handling of musical performances keep the film anchored. The tension between Touda’s aspirations and the societal forces opposing her resonates, offering a conclusion that is as bittersweet as it is triumphant. The film’s message is clear: the pursuit of one’s dreams may not guarantee success, but the act of pursuing them is, in itself, an act of liberation.Nicole Guillemet