When a film’s seemingly simple storyline prompts deep reflection on the complexities of human nature and the tangled web of emotional and psychological experiences, it showcases a rare creative talent that few filmmakers possess. Anne-Sophie Bailly is one such filmmaker. In her debut feature, the French director offers a fresh perspective on the relationship between children and their caregivers, focusing on “Mona,” a single mother in her forties, and her son “Joel,” who has a mental disability that complicates her already challenging life. With a delicate and sensitive cinematic approach, Bailly explores the fraught dynamics between two individuals, where one longs to break free from the other. Joel desires independence and clings to his love for a young woman who also has a mental disability.This leads the narrative into profound psychological territory, making it difficult to fully grasp the emotions involved in such a unique situation. Bailly’s artistry invites us to reflect on our preconceived notions about “disabled” individuals, often shaped by the attitudes of family and friends who unconsciously treat them as lacking control over their own lives and emotions, meddling in their choices. Ultimately, they may realize they have lost the very people they thought they were protecting and loving.The fluidity and emotional depth of the story are remarkable, captivating the audience and leaving them eager to see how the relationship between Mona and Joel unfolds and which of Mona’s desires will be fulfilled. This tension, grounded in the mundanity of daily life, defies expectations and echoes the unpredictability of existence. Each person embarks on their own journey, bringing new beginnings. Holding onto children out of fear or control is futile—they ultimately seek freedom. Joel’s liberation comes from loosening his ties to his mother without completely losing her. It’s a deeply human relationship with no easy resolution. Perhaps the Arabic title, Men La Oufarkhou (The One I Cannot Leave), best captures this powerful bond between mother and son—one that is impossible to fully sever.Kais Kasim