Saint Omer (2022) review

College professor and writer Rama (Kayije Kagame) leaves her husband behind to attend the trial of Laurence Coly (Guslagie Malanda), a student from Senegal accused of killing her 15-month-old daughter Elise, with a plan to write a book on it (she compares Laurence to the mythological figure Medea), and while listening to the testimonies, Rama recalls her childhood and growing up with an off-kilter mother.  I recognize that Diop is trying to make a movie (which is inspired by the true story of Fabienne Kabou) about womanhood/motherhood and the connections to the past and future (Rama is pregnant with her own child), except this is entirely too static and recorded like a stage play, and asking the audience to find a way to "empathize" with a liar and killer because she felt "sad" and "lonely" is a huge ask.  The defense's final argument, which is delivered directly to the camera, argues that women are "chimeras" and it seems to evoke a tearful response from several characters but I don't think it's remotely convincing - to me, Coly either (a.) has severe mental issues or (b.) is malingering (with the talk of sorcery and visions).