Bonjour, I’m Sophie!

Political Anthropologist, Film Director

& Psychoanalyst

I am a nomadic spirit, seeking to explore and understand politics, the arts, and the human mind. Born in France with Romanian roots, my path has led me across Asia, North America, Australia, and Africa. Psychoanalysis, anthropology, and art have carried me across my inner and our outer world—at once my lens and my quest for understanding what connects us.

I live where research and the arts converge: as an Associate Researcher at the Collège de France, as a filmmaker writing and directing for French production companies, and as a psychoanalyst working with children, adolescents, and adults in analytical practice.

Feel free to wander these pages—seek, skim, discover. And as I share my thoughts with you, don’t hesitate to share yours. Reach out by email. READ MORE

Photo by: Alexandra Radu @2021

The Threads that Connect My Work

My work across research, filmmaking, and psychoanalysis converges around core questions of power, identity, and the human experience. Whether observing political dynamics in the field, crafting documentary narratives, or listening to the unconscious in analytical sessions, I explore how individuals and communities navigate constraint, trauma, and transformation.

Expertise and Interest

Political Power: Strongmen, personality politics, legitimacy, and the construction of political narratives
Politics & Religion: Religious identity, civil society, political violence, and identity politics
Society & Rights: Orphans’ rights, women, children and minority rights, and the protection of vulnerable populations
Violence & Trauma: Institutional, societal, and intra-familial violence, particularly against women and children
Neurodiversity & the Mind: The unconscious, neurodivergent experiences, and psychological resilience

Approaches
Political Anthropology • Sociology • Comparative Politics • Cognitive & Behavioral Sciences • Psychoanalysis • Ethnography • Filmmaking

These questions shape my research agenda, inform my documentary projects, and resonate deeply in my analytical practice—revealing the intimate connections between the political and the personal, the collective and the individual.

CNA | At 100, Dr Mahathir has a unique opportunity to shape his legacy in the era of Trump

There is a profound, almost paradoxical, power in former Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad issuing warnings about the trajectory of Western democracy. PARIS: This month, as Dr Mahathir Mohamad marks his 100th year, the world contemplates not just longevity,...

The Diplomat | Mahathir Mohamad, the Father of Modern Malaysia, at 100

Mahathir reshaped Malaysia’s politics and modernized its economy. He is also the source of many of the contradictions that continue to define the country today. Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, who turned 100 on July 10, stands as a political titan who casts a long shadow over...

Libération | Mahathir Mohamad, 100 ans, patriarche des autocrates

L’ancien Premier ministre malaisien, 100 ans ce jeudi 10 juillet, s’est longtemps maintenu au pouvoir par le patriarcat politique, une méthode ancienne qui inspire toujours les autocrates d’aujourd’hui. Mahathir Mohamad a 100 ans. On aimerait lire qu’il fut le dernier...

CNA | Is Nurul Izzah Anwar prime minister material?

Malaysia’s most famous political daughter must prove her worth or be left behind PARIS: Anyone who follows Malaysian politics knows the name Nurul Izzah Anwar. The eldest daughter of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the 44-year-old newly elected deputy president of Parti...

CNA | Political dynasties are making a comeback in Southeast Asia. Here’s why it matters

The persistence of political dynasties hinges on three interconnected factors: Name recognition, resource control and patronage networks RABAT, Morocco: In the Philippines’ midterm elections this week, the Marcoses and Dutertes were once again front and centre in...

CNA | Malaysia’s fake birth certificates scandal exposes a deeper crisis

Malaysia’s constitution guarantees citizenship to children discovered abandoned with no known parents. Yet, in practice, civil servants often refuse to apply this provision, resulting in thousands of stateless children. The arrest of 10 individuals involved in a birth...

CNA | Malaysia wants 35 million tourists in 2026. Can its environment keep up?

Malaysia hopes to attract over 35 million tourists in 2026, but its current approach raises questions about long-term sustainability and environmental impact. KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has plans to bring in 31.4 million tourists this year and 35.6 million tourists in...

CNA | Why Malaysia’s political elite remains dominated by elderly men

Malaysia’s political landscape is dominated by ageing leaders, with key figures well into their 70s, 80s and even 90s. KUALA LUMPUR: By the end of 2025, some of Malaysia’s most prominent figures will be well into their twilight years. Mr Mahathir Mohamad - who served...

CNA | Anwar’s PKR leadership race won’t be a race at all – and that’s the point

Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s PKR party is set to hold its internal election soon, but a proposal to forgo contests for its top two leadership positions has raised concerns about the party’s democratic integrity. KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's Parti Keadilan...

The Diplomat | Should AI Convert to Islam?

Recently, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim made headlines when he urged young IT developers and tech professionals to incorporate Islamic values into artificial intelligence (AI) systems, arguing that this would ensure that AI serves humanity in a more ethical...