Prepare for an exhilarating journey through the Moroccan desert with the world premiere of "Déserts" at the 2023 Director Fortnight in Cannes.
Directed by Faouzi Bensaïdi / @faouzi.bensaidi, this 124-minute film combines comedy and road-movie elements to tell the story of Mehdi and Hamid, two debt collectors traversing the southern region of Morocco in their crumpled suits and ties.
Their mission is to recover overdue loans from destitute individuals burdened by poverty and the harshness of desert life in remote villages. As the narrative unfolds, the film takes on the qualities of a Western and even an initiatory quest when the disillusioned mercenaries, themselves under pressure, cross paths with a notorious bandit.
Faouzi Bensaïdi, a theater director and actor, gained recognition with his multiple award-winning 1997 short film "La Falaise." He co-wrote "Loin" with André Téchiné and went on to direct two short films in 2000: "Le Mur," presented at the Directors' Fortnight, and "Trajets," awarded at the Venice Film Festival. His debut feature film, "Mille mois," received the Le Premier Regard and De la Jeunesse awards at the Un Certain Regard section. He followed it up with "WWW – What a Wonderful World" at the Venice Film Festival and "Mort à vendre," which won the Art et Essai Prize at the Berlinale.
Experience the compelling performances of Fehd Benchemsi as Mehdi, Abdelhadi Taleb as Hamid, and Rabii Benjhaile as the fugitive they encounter on their journey. Florian Berruti's cinematography beautifully captures the vast landscapes and the sense of adventure, complemented by the meticulous sound design of Patrice Mendez and Luc Thomas. The production design by Véronique Sacrez and the editing by Véronique Lange and Faouzi Bensaïdi contribute to the film's immersive atmosphere.
"Déserts" is produced by Barney Production/ @BarneyProduction in France, in co-production with Niko Film in Germany, Entre Chien et Loup in Belgium, and Mont Fleuri Production in Morocco. For international sales, contact Urban Distribution International / @urbanintl. With its unique blend of genres and its exploration of the human condition against the backdrop of the desert, this film promises to captivate and enthrall audiences.
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