Pregnant Rama (Kayije Kagame), a literature professor and novelist, travels from Paris to Saint-Omer to observe the trial of Laurence Coly (Guslagie Malanda) and write about the case. Coly is a student and Senegalese immigrant accused of leaving her 15 month old daughter on a beach to be swept away by the tide. Rama, who like Coly has a troubled relationship with her mother, starts to feel a personal connection to Coly.
I left Saint Omer a little puzzled and frustrated. Both lead actresses give striking performances, the growing similarity between their lives is nicely teased out and the lengthy courtroom scenes were brilliant to watch. However, the intentions of writers Alice Diop (who also elegantly directs), Amrita David and Marie N’Diaye, basing the story on a real life case, seem to be quite muddled.
Laurence admits to killing the baby and is demonstrated to have frequently lied both before and during the trial, but blames her behaviour on a curse or sorcery. Her defence lawyer claims that she is mad, in what was meant to be an emotional closing speech, but it did not make an impact on me. Instead, it seems a pretty clear-cut case and the defendant is looking for any way out.
There is much that is impressive on screen but it left me feeling flat.
Rating: 6 out of 10