Short synopsis : Two young men living in the slum of Sidi Moumen in Casablanca are caught up in Islamic fundamentalism and become martyrs.

Long synopsis : Yachine is 10 years old, he lives with his family in the slum of Sidi Moumen in Casablanca. His mother, Yemma, leads the family as best as she can. His father suffers from depression, one of his brothers is in the army, another is almost autistic and the third, Hamid, 13, is the boss of the local neighbourhood and Yachine’s protector. When Hamid is sent to jail, Yachine takes up jobs after jobs, though empty, to get free from the doldrums of violence, misery and drugs. Released from prison, Hamid, now an Islamic fundamentalist, persuades Yachine and his pals to join their “brothers”. The Imam, Abou Zoubeir, their spiritual leader, starts to direct their long-standing physical and mental preparation. One day, he tells them they have been chosen to become martyrs. The film is inspired by the terrorist attacks of May 16th 2003 in Casablanca.

Cast

• Abdelhakim Rachi, Abdelilah Rachid, Hamza Souidek, Ahmed El Idrissi Amrani

Crew

• Producer(s): Nabil Ayouch, Pierre-Ange Le Pogam, Patrick Quinet, Eric van Beuren
• Director(s): Nabil Ayouch
• Screenplay: Jamal Belmahi, Mahi Binebine
• DP: Hichame Alaouie
• Editing: Damien KEYEUX
• Set Design: Hind Ghazali

• Original Title: CHEVAUX DE DIEU (LES)
• Genre(s): Drama


• Production date: 2011
• Language: Arabic
• Duration: 115 min
• Image Ratio: 1.85
• Sound Info: Dolby Digital

• Festival de Cannes 2012 - Un Certain Regard
  
• Giffoni Film Festival 2012
  
• Helsinki International Film Festival - Love & Anarchy 2012
  
• Filmfest Hamburg 2012
  
• Haifa International Film Festival 2012
  
• Busan International Film Festival 2012
  
• Montréal Festival du Nouveau Cinéma 2012
  
• BFI London Film Festival 2012
  
• Bergen International Film Festival 2012
  
• Mumbai Film Festival 2012
  
• Seminci - Semana Internacional de Cine de Valladolid 2012
  Award(s) : Best Film
• International Film Festival Bratislava 2012
  
• Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival 2012
  
• Göteborg Film Festival 2013
  
• Hong Kong International Film Festival 2013
  
• CPH:PIX 2013
  
• Seattle International Film Festival 2013
  Award(s) : Best Director
• Austin Fantastic Fest 2013
  
• Palm Springs International Film Festival 2014
  
• International Film Festival Rotterdam 2013
  Award(s) : MovieZone Award