Casablanca Beats

Spoken: Arabic. Subtitles: Dutch/French.

Anas, a former rapper, is hired as a teacher in a cultural center in Sidi Moumen, a suburb of Casablanca. In his first lesson, he talks about the changes that hip-hop brought in America. Encouraged by Anas, the students learn to express themselves and write down their own experiences. But will they be able to free themselves from the weight of certain traditions to live for their passion?

Carried by the music, the film shows the impact of globalization without falling into clichés. But above all, Casablanca Beats delivers a powerful message about how art can change the lives of young people and how freedom of expression can reverse a history of repression.