BORJ EL MECHKOUK
Driss Aroussi / France, Morocco / 2023 / 32 min / Colour
Italian premiere
The desert region of Errachidia, more than 1000 meters above sea level in Morocco, suffers from long periods of drought that have serious consequences for agricultural production, livestock, and environmental conditions. To meet this challenge, local authorities try to implement water resource management measures and raise awareness of responsible water use among the population. A man, with a donkey and a cart, is sent to the arid lands to observe and clean up an ingenious system of underground tunnels called Khettara, intended for the irrigation of cultivated fields. Arriving at Borj el Mechkouk, a turret in the middle of the arid lands, the man will camp there and dig for a long time, hoping to find water. With a keen sense of framing and a skilful simplicity of shots, Driss Aroussi creates a cinematic fable on the theme of the climate crisis.
Driss Aroussi
Driss Aroussi was born in 1979 in Fezna, in the province of Errachidia in Morocco. He currently lives in Marseille. He is a director, screenwriter and producer. His work merges numerous research paths, ranging between experimentation and documentary. He has participated in several group exhibitions and has held solo exhibitions in France. Sisyphe (2017) was his first short film, followed by Borj el mechkouk.
Credits
Screenplay Driss AroussiCinematography Stephanos MangriotisSound Alexandre FrigoultEditing Fatima BianchiMusic Alexandre FrigoultMain cast Moustapha AroussiProducer Driss Aroussi
Sotto l'alto patrocinio
Main Sponsor
Con il sostegno di
Con il patrocinio
