Friday 10th June 2022 – Thursday 16th June 2022Dir. Nabil Ayouch, Morocco/France, 2021, 101 mins, subtitled. Cast. Meryem Nekkach, Anas Basbousi, Nouhaila Arif, Ismail Adouab.
A Morocco-set hip-hop drama, Ayouch’s film opens with the arrival of Anas (Basbousi), a new teacher at an arts centre. He immediately alienates himself from the faculty with his rebellious streak and initially irritates the students attending his hip-hop class with his criticism of their verses. But they soon rise to the challenge, improving their work and offering more probing analysis of the world around them, from social and economic deprivation to gender inequality. Showcasing talents from beatboxing to improvising to rap, the performers spill out of the classroom, with thrilling dance sequences taking place in the streets and alleyways. A celebration of a neighbourhood, its youth and their transformative creativity, Casablanca Beats is a vibrant, rousing story of self-expression, self-empowerment and the potential for social change.
