North American Premiere
Irrepressible Touda (Nisrin Erradi) only dreams of being a Sheikha, a respected traditional Moroccan performer empowered by the lyrics of the fierce female poets who came before her. Inspired by their songs of resistance and emancipation, she performs every evening in provincial bars under the lustful gaze of men. All the while, she sets her sights on the bright lights of Casablanca where she hopes to be recognized as a true artist while also securing a better future for both her son and herself.
Nisrin Erradi, Joud Chamihy, Jalila Tlemsi, El Moustafa Boutankite, Lahcen Razzougui
France/Morocco/Belgium/
Denmark/Netherlands
2024
In Arabic with English subtitles
At International Village
At Fifth Avenue
Book Tickets
Indigenous & Community Access
Indigenous Access Tickets Community Access Tickets Ticket Donation Requests
Credits & Director
Producer
Nabil Ayouch, Amine Benjelloun, Sebastian Schelenz, Katrin Pors, Mikkel Jersin, Eva Jakobsen, Marleen Slot, Elisa Fernanda Pirir
Screenwriter
Nabil Ayouch
Cinematography
Virginie Surdej
Editor
Nicolas Rumpl
Production Design
Eve Martin
Original Music
Flemming Nordkrog
Nabil Ayouch
Nabil Ayouch, a member of the Academy of Motion Pictures and the Cesar Academy, co-founded the Arab Film Academy. His debut short film, Les Pierres Bleues du Desert (1992), introduced Jamel Debouzze. Ayouch’s feature films, including Mektoub (1997) and Ali Zaoua: Prince of the Streets (2000), represented Morocco at the Oscars. Notable works include Much Loved (2015), banned in Morocco but acclaimed internationally, and The Blue Caftan (2023), which garnered over 50 awards and was shortlisted for the Oscars. He also founded Ali n’ Productions, promoting Moroccan cinema and supporting young talents.
Filmography: Mektoub (1997); Ali Zaoua: Prince of the Streets (2000); Much Loved (2015); The Blue Caftan (2023)
Missing VIFF? Check out what's playing at the VIFF Centre
American Doctor
One of the most powerful documentaries of the year, this puts us smack in the open wound that is Gaza, filtered through the eyes of three American surgeons (of Palestinian, Jewish and Zoroastrian backgrounds) compelled to do their utmost to alleviate harm.
How to Divorce During the War
Screenwriter Vytus is left reeling when on successive days his wife demands a divorce and Russia invades Ukraine. Blazevicius' masterful feature emerges as an engrossing satire about virtue signaling, nationalism, good intentions, and survival modes.
Kindergarten
In this charming Quebecois documentary, we are invited to look closely at the interactions of children between the ages of 1 and 5, a period in which they are just beginning to learn about social interactions. And yet how much they resemble ourselves!