In 2016, young author Rama (discovery Kayije Kagame) travels to the coastal town of Saint-Omer to document the trial of Laurence Coly (Guslagie Malanda), a well-educated Senegalese Frenchwoman. Laurence is accused of abandoning her 15-month-old daughter on a beach to be drowned by the incoming tide, and Rama plans to incorporate the story into her new novel. But the case affects her in unexpected ways and she is soon forced to confront her own complex childhood memories, not to mention increasing uncertainty over her own impending motherhood.

Inspired by true events, this arresting courtroom drama was France’s official pick for the Best International Film category at this year’s Oscars – and for very good reason. Touching on hot-button topics like female agency, race, class and the tide of history, this is provocative and profound filmmaking from first-time feature director Alice Diop.