What to Watch in North Africa This Month

‘Wesh X Wesh’ (‘Face to Face’) — Egypt

Written and directed by Waleed El Halfawy, this comedy invites us into the difficult marriage of a couple who has had enough of each other. When they involve their families for an epic clash, the metal door lock breaks and both parties find themselves stuck in the same house. Starring Mohamed Mamdouh and Amina Khalil as the couple whose cultural and social differences spiral into chaos and disaster.

‘REINES’ (‘QUEENS’) — Morocco

Yasmine Benkiran wrote and directed REINES, an intense road trip drama and story of survival that takes us into the Moroccan desert. Zineb, played byNisrin Erradi, is a woman who is set on taking back control over her life and destiny amidst an environment in which law and morals are often explosively interlinked. Set in the town of Casablanca, Zineb escapes prison to save her daughter who the state threatens to take from her. During her search, she takes truck driver Asma, played by Nisrine Benchara, as hostage. Followed by the police, the three are forced to make a risky journey across the Atlas Mountains, facing not only a challenging natural environment but also their inner demons.

In Moroccan cinemas from May 15, 2024.

‘Marei the Primo’ — Egypt

Finishing a successful run in Egyptian cinemas, Marei the Primo, directed by Saeed Hamed, is now available on Netflix. The comedy stars actor Mohamed Henedi as Marei, a watermelon merchant who inherits a fortune in diamonds from his grandfather. To protect it from greedy in-laws, he hides it in two watermelons which his wife Gamalat, played by Ghadah Adel, unknowingly sells. According to an interview on Egypt Independent, Henedi confirms that Marei the Primo is based on a real person, adding that the writer, Ihab Blebel, worked hard to tell his story in the best manner.

‘Taht Alshajara’ (‘Under the Fig Trees’) — Tunisia

Directed by Erige Sehiri, the Tunisian coming of age drama Under the Fig Trees had an impressive run at Cannes Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, and BFI London Film Festival, amongst others. Over the course of one hot summer’s day, women and men, young and old, work in a fig orchard under the watchful eye of the foreman. They are restless and eager, stealing away time from work to catch up, gossip, and flirt. Each encounter is ripe with discovery, sometimes trying to find, sometimes trying to flee new connections. Sun-dappled and sensual, Sehiri’s fiction debut captures the strength of sisterhood, promise of young love, and the sorrows of life with remarkable intimacy and tenderness.

‘Al Serb’ (‘The Squadron’) — Egypt

Al Serb traces the journey of a team of Egyptian National Security forces as they battle terrorist organizations. Directed by Ahmed Nader Galal and written by Omar Abdel Halim, this thriller is inspired by true events: following the massacre of 21 Coptic Egyptians by ISIS, the army undertakes a mission and an airstrike against the terrorist organization in Libya, and encounters resistance. This film, starring Ahmed El Sakka and Sherif Mounir, is characterized by high-powered combat sequences and impressive production.

Screening in Egyptian cinemas now.

‘Rebel Moon - Part Two: The Scargiver’ — United States

Rebel Moon - Part Two: The Scargiver is amongst the most-watched films in the region these days — despite its rather negative reception amongst critics — because its lead actress is no other than Algerian-born Sofia Boutella. Directed by Zack Snyder and co-written by Zack Snyder, Kurt Johnstad, and Shay Hatten, this sequel is an epic American space opera, taking place on the moon of Veldt where Kora (Boutella) and a crew of warriors venture, to help farmers defend and fight for their home against the Motherworld.

Showing in select theaters across the U.S. and streaming on Netflix now.