Wall of Death (Le mur de la mort)
Qumra Projects
/ Feature Documentary / Morocco, France, Qatar
In Darija
Rated: This film has not been rated.
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Synopsis
The Ennassiri family are starting a fortieth consecutive year of "The Wall of Death", a fairground show that can be found in Morocco during the summer rural festivals. Nicknamed "champion", Hassan is the centre of the show in which he performs impressive acrobatics on his motorbike. During summer, he has to earn enough money for the family to survive for the rest of the year. Khadra has always been by his side; she manages the staff when he is away, takes care of the household, of her cat and chases away evil spirits. Zahra, a 27-year-old woman, with short hair and loose-fitting clothes, participates in the show by performing simple acrobatics on her motorcycle. Despite her age and experience, Hassan refuses to let Zahra take over the show, which he believes is too precarious, risky and not suitable for a young woman. Khadra dreams of seeing Zahra married and encourages her to be more feminine. The film shows the difficulty of communication between parents and their daughter despite the probable disappearance of their show—and on the other hand, the problematic emancipation of a young woman who is seeking her place in a conservative society.