In this beautifully filmed documentary, Director El Aboudi movingly transports us to an isolated, unique community at a crossroads, over three years. For generations, the nomadic Oulad Boukais Tribe has herded animals in the Moroccan desert, East of the Atlas Mountains. Going to school, learning to read and write wasn’t part of this way of life. But now they struggle with severe drought that is endangering their livelihood and traditions. A newly arrived young teacher, Mohamed, valiantly leads a one-room school with no water or electricity, with the kids living kilometers away, to forge what could be a new path for them. But some parents don’t agree. The oldest student, Miloud, is required at home to take care of the animals, but would prefer to study full time. Unfortunately, in his case, “school is for those who can afford it.” Fatima, as an adolescent girl, should stay home, but her mother may support her studies if the men in the family agree. The teacher is “welcome in any home for the night” (since he doesn’t have a place of his own). Could education offer a way out of the scourges of climate change while preserving traditions or only by destroying them?

Winner Special Jury Prize, International Feature Documentary, Hot Docs Festival

“A warm, compassionate and ultimately hopeful portrait.” (MIME, Moving Image Middle East). 

“There is nothing a teacher’s love, patience and devotion, and a bunch of enthusiastic kids of all ages cannot make up for.” (Modern Times).