The Bitter Orange

The Bitter Orange

Year: 2007

Runtime: 90 mins

Language: Arabic

Director: Bouchra Ijork

DramaRomance

Souadia’s monotonous life changes after an encounter with a police officer (Amin) next to an orange tree

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The Bitter Orange yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – The Bitter Orange (2007)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Bitter Orange (2007). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Asilah, Bitter orange groves, Old family house, Hospital, Public road

Set in the Moroccan town of Asilah, the story unfolds around an old family house and its quiet neighborhood. The nearby bitter orange groves provide the scent and color of Saadia's world, where sweetness can be found in marmalade. Scenes across the city—at the hospital and along a public road—ground the romance in everyday life and memory.

🏙️ Urban 🕌 Historic 🍊 Citrus town 🏥 Modern hospital

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 14:40

Main Characters – The Bitter Orange (2007)

Meet the key characters of The Bitter Orange (2007), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Saadia (Houda Rihani)

Saadia is a lonely, hopeful girl living with a strict father and a loving mother in an old house. Her life centers on simple routines, outings to the orange groves, and a longing for a life and partner she imagines with Amine. When Amine is engaged to someone else, her heartbreak becomes a defining wound that shapes her choices and fate.

🌙 Dreamer 💖 Romantic 💔 Heartbroken 🧭 Determined

Amine (Youssef El Joundi)

Amine is a handsome, disciplined policeman whose calm exterior hides a sensitive, perceptive side. He is initially firm with Saadia but is moved by her passion and the idea of marmalade. His engagement to another woman and the social duties that follow create a conflict between duty and desire, which only deepens after the hidden letter is revealed in the hospital.

👮 Officer 💬 Reserved 💔 Remorseful

Mother (Fadila Benmoussa)

Mother is a protective and somewhat secretive figure who guards the family’s privacy. She keeps the letter that would reveal Saadia's feelings hidden from Amine's family, adding a layer of mystery and highlighting the influence of family ties on the narrative. Her presence embodies tradition and care within the household.

👩 Mother 🗝️ Keeper 💛 Protective

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 14:40

Major Themes – The Bitter Orange (2007)

Explore the central themes of The Bitter Orange (2007), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💔 Unrequited Love

Saadia’s love for Amine is intense but not returned, driving the emotional engine of the film. Her letter to him reveals a future she imagines while confronting social boundaries. The engagement that follows seals the tragedy and forces a reckoning with what might have been. Time and memory turn longing into a lasting ache.

🍊 Bittersweet

The bitter orange motif mirrors Saadia’s world—moments of sweetness shadowed by loss. Turning the fruit into marmalade becomes a way to transform pain into something tangible and shared. The interplay of bitterness and sweetness reflects the film’s core tension: joy exists alongside sorrow.

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 14:40

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of The Bitter Orange

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Bitter Orange in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Bitter Orange is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Bitter Orange Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Bitter Orange, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Bitter Orange Summary

The Bitter Orange Timeline

Track the full timeline of The Bitter Orange with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

The Bitter Orange Timeline

The Bitter Orange Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of The Bitter Orange that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

The Bitter Orange Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Bitter Orange

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Bitter Orange: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About The Bitter Orange

Similar Movies to The Bitter Orange

Discover movies like The Bitter Orange that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.