FILM SYNOPSIS
A determined village boy and a stranded spoiled socialite must overcome class divides and the desert’s perils to reach the city.
In the aftermath of a devastating earthquake, 16-year-old Ilyas, a determined young boy from a rural Amazigh village, embarks on a perilous journey to find medicine for his ailing mother. With nothing but his donkey as his companion, his path crosses that of Abla, a privileged 21-year-old from the elite, French-speaking class of Marrakech whose car breaks down in the desolate desert. Stranded in the middle of nowhere, they are forced to rely on each other, bridging not just a language barrier but deep-rooted class divides. Abla strikes a bargain: she will help Ilyas get the medicine he needs if he helps her reach Marrakech safely.
CREDITS
Cast:
Ilyas: Tarik Idali
Abla: Hiba Bennani
Tilila (Mother): Rkia Ait Wahman
Friend 1: Amin Boussouf
Party Friend 1: Louise Baule
Party Friend 2: Cyrine Lamri
Extras
Soukaina Amrani, Wassim Naji, Ghali Chatt, Saad Benkirane, Mia Boukaa, Ismail Bennani, Mamoun Benhaddou
Writer & Director: Taha Aziz
Producer: Taha Aziz, Kenza Benhalima
Production Manager: Ghita Ziali
Executive Producer: Omar Aziz
Production Coordinator: Widad Benkirane
Associate Producer: Ismail Bennani
Editor: Taha Aziz
1st Assistant Director: Kenza Benhalima
2nd Assistant Director: Ismail Bennani
Script Supervisor: Léna Lucas
Director of Photography: Justin D’Orazio
1st Assistant Camera: Hassan El Souhail
2nd Assistant Camera: Marouane Douafa
Drone Operator: Taoufik Mahraoui
Stills Photographer: Christine Vefling
BTS Photographer/Videographer: Saad Benkirane
Key Grip: Aziz Karmi
Grip: Rachid
Gaffer: Aziz Karmi
Best Boy: Youssef
Pickup Shoot Gaffer: Sophie Power
Sound Operator: Frankie Cuadrado
Composers: Souleiman Belayachi & Neil Darmon
Sound Engineer: Patrick Zimmon
Music Supervisor: Taha Aziz
Production Designer: Ghita Ziali
Assistant Art Director: Christine Vefling
Props Master: Salma Kortobi
Production Assistants: Christine Vefling, Saad Benkirane, Maya Bouchentouf, Salma Kortobi
Production Driver: Rachid
Crew Car Driver 1: Youssef
Equipment Truck Driver: Mbarek
Crew Car Driver 2: Mohammed
BIO
Taha Aziz is a Moroccan filmmaker based in New York, born in Casablanca. His work explores multiculturalism, social justice, and identity through an anthropological lens. A recipient of the 2024 Chantal Akerman Grant for his upcoming film Donkey Skin (2025), he is also a BAFTA-New York scholarship candidate and a CCNY nominee for the 2025 BAFTA Student Awards.
After earning a BFA in Film from Pratt Institute, his short Amal (2019) —a poignant story of a young immigrant woman in Brooklyn—won multiple awards at international festivals, including Best Director and Best Film. His accolades span the New York Independent Film Festival, Los Angeles Film Awards, Oniros Film Awards, the New York International Film Festival, and more.
He has worked at Be Electric Studios, freelanced in visual media, and directed documentary and commercial projects for brands like Nespresso, Nike MENA and Paco Rabanne. Currently, Taha is pursuing an MFA in Film at City College of New York, graduating in May 2025 and working alongside Willa, an Academy Award- and Emmy-nominated production and distribution company, on an upcoming television pilot.
