Alegría is a proudly independent woman, living in the family's ancestral home in the Spanish city of Melilla nestled on the Moroccan coast. When her niece is set to marry, Alegría reluctantly agrees to host the event. Supported by Dunia, her bubbly Moroccan housekeeper, and Marian, her chill Christian best friend, Alegría must open her home and revisit her Jewish roots.
Control is a guiding principle in Alegría’s life, and the chaos of the wedding and all its attendant rituals–not to mention a hopeful reunion with her daughter, absent now for 5 years–leaves her feeling adrift. But Alegría has friends, she has family, and even after a rocky start, the love and respect begins to shine through as she begins to embrace her family’s Jewish past. Violeta Salama, with her directing debut, makes the city of Melilla (where she grew up) as much a part of this family as the characters themselves.
Director Biography
Violeta Salama recreated her grandmother’s home in Melilla for the set of Alegría. She grew up in Spain and worked as an assistant director on a number of films and television shows, both in Vancouver and Madrid. Alegría (2021) is her debut feature.
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