HIBAPRESS-RABAT
At 26 years old, Imad Benomar, young laureate of the Higher School of Visual Arts of Marrakech (ESAV), already impresses with his first short film “Terre de Dieu”. This daring film, a 15-minute black and white slapstick comedy, has already been selected in prestigious festivals such as the Red Sea International, Film Festival, the Festival International du Film Francophone de Namur, and the Tangier Festival.
“Terre de Dieu” explores with irony the rituals and social norms surrounding death in a Moroccan society where traditions confront modernity. Death, often perceived as a taboo and frightening subject, is treated here from an offbeat angle, exposing the contradictions and absurdities that surround funeral practices. The story revolves around three main characters – Hassan, a civil servant, Malika, a gendarme, and a trainee – who are responsible for delivering coffins to two families. On the way, Hassan realizes that he has exchanged the bodies of the deceased. Panicked, he decides to keep this error a secret and finds himself embroiled in a series of adventures where the weight of the living and the dead is confused, between tradition and absurdity.
“Terre de Dieu” embodies a new wave of Moroccan talent, driven by emerging talents trained in institutions such as ESAV Marrakech, and who participate in the evolution of Moroccan cinema on the international scene.
About the director:
Born in Fez, Imad Benomar has always been influenced by the art and traditions of his hometown. After a career in marketing and management, he headed towards cinema, attracted by the power of images and storytelling. A graduate of ESAV Marrakech, he quickly proved himself through several cinematographic projects, strengthening his experience and his artistic vision. “Terre de Dieu” is the culmination of this journey rich in learning.
Technical sheet:
- Film title: Land of God
- Director and screenwriter: Imad Benomar
- Producer: ESAV Marrakech
- Director of photography: Akram Kbibchi
- Montage : Imad Benomar & Mathis Detombe
- Music: Jasmine Mrya
- Genre: Burlesque comedy / Black and white
- Duration: 15 minutes
- Language: Darija, subtitled in French and English
- Main actors: Amal El Atrache, Younes Chara
- Country of origin: Morocco
About ESAV:
The Higher School of Visual Arts (ESAV) of Marrakech was inaugurated by His Royal Highness Prince Moulay Rachid accompanied by the American director Martin Scorsese in 2007. At the initiative of the Swiss designer Susanna Biedermann, the ESAV is an establishment of non-profit higher education designed and developed for the emergence of creative and committed youth, who can revitalize the job market and respond to the technological, artistic and cultural challenges of our time. The school offers excellent BAC +3 training in cinema and audiovisual as well as graphic communication and illustration-animation. Delivered by internationally renowned specialists recognized in their respective fields, these training courses allow graduates to enter the professional world with complete confidence. With its international reputation, ESAV welcomes students and professionals from all over the world, thus helping to promote cultural and social diversity essential to creation in a dynamic and practical learning environment.
