Almost no one in Bosnia today dreams about a future in Bosnia. Those who can, leave. I have left long ago, and so does Azra, who, betrayed by her juvenile ideals and hopeless post-war limbo, follows her daughter’s career and accepts to work in Alfa until they reach a better future.
Sara is her future. Mother and daughter, best friends and partners – their relationship is the central axis of the film. And when Sara abandons their plans, Azra has to confront her own choices and sacrifices as a woman and a mother: her repressed sexuality, unfulfilling job and manipulating relationship with Cesare and Teresa.
Calabria is not much different from the absurd Sarajevo she has left behind. The better tomorrow does not live there either. Like Sara, Azra needs to rebel to free herself. "Alfa" is a coming-of-age film: if Sara learns how to grow up and find herself, Azra learns how to grow old and not lose herself.
And she will not, because there is nothing more rebellious than returning to Sarajevo.