In a small Berber community in the High Atlas of Morocco, villagers follow an immutable division of labour. Women cook, clean, raise children, tend the animals and fetch water at the source, while men when fieldwork is scarce, take naps or sit at cafés for hours. Nobody would think of questioning this age-old order, until Fadma, a fierce and progressive-minded woman, arrives with her family from Casablanca. Determined to upend the status quo, she initiates the other wives to the concept of gender equality and encourages them to start a cooking strike. As long as men don't take part in domestic tasks, they'll have to eat at the village's only restaurant. Capturing their lively arguments with discretion and respect, Jawad Rhalib brings out the humour and theatricality in this battle of the sexes. The quiet life of the douar will never be the same, but can the women's initiative succeed?

script: Jawad Rhalib
director of photography: Ali Benjelloun
assembly: Jawad Rhalib
producer: Kristin Migeotte
executive producer: Hassan Benjelloun
production: R&R Productions, Bentaqerla (MA)

Film selected for the Festival Vues d'Afrique 2021