Irrepressible Touda only dreams of one thing: being a Sheikha, a respected traditional Moroccan performer empowered by the lyrics of the fierce female poets who came before her – with their songs of resistance and emancipation.
Performing every evening in provincial bars under the lustful gaze of men, Touda plans to set her sights on leaving her small village for the bright lights of Casablanca where she hopes to be recognized as a true artist and also secure a better future for her and her son.
Amidst a hypnotic soundscape of Moroccan music, Nabil Ayouch (Casablanca Beats – Cannes – In Competition, Much Loved – Critic’s Week) portrays a vibrant woman and mother.
Nabil Ayouch’s CASABLANCE BEATS became the first Moroccan film shortlisted for the 2022 Oscars, representing Morocco in the Best International Film category. CASABLANCE BEATS was also the first Moroccan feature film to enter the official competition of Cannes in 2021.
In 1997, Nabil Ayouch directed his first feature film, MEKTOUB which, like ALI ZAOUA (2000) represented Morocco at the Oscars. Next came UNE MINUTE DE SOLEIL EN MOINS (2003) and WHATEVER LOLA WANTS (2008), produced by Pathé.
France, Morocco, Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands, Norway
