Khadija Alami’s K Films Boards Tala Hadid’s ‘Bardi,’ About Morocco’s Itinerant Horsemen (EXCLUSIVE)

As a passionate film enthusiast with a penchant for stories that delve deep into culture and tradition, I am absolutely captivated by the upcoming project “Bardi”. Having spent years immersed in the world of cinema, I can confidently say that this film promises to be a unique and mesmerizing journey.

Indie film producer Khadija Alami’s company K Films has joined forces on “Bardi,” Tala Hadid’s next project following her 2017 documentary “House in the Fields,” which was selected for Berlin. The upcoming feature, now in its editing stage, is part of this year’s Atlas Workshops at the Marrakech Film Festival.

Alami expressed his excitement about joining ‘Bardi’. He mentioned that Tala is an exceptional director and artist, and he believes the movie will turn out to be something extraordinary.

Hadid stated, ‘Khadija genuinely champions Moroccan filmmakers, particularly the newer talents getting their start.’ She is highly skilled, intellectually sharp, and has significantly contributed to our film industry.

In the second installation of a planned trio, we follow a group of horse-riding brethren traversing Morocco, attending various Saints Week festivities where they exhibit and challenge each other with remarkable horsemanship talents.

The director describes it as ‘definitely old-fashioned,’ referring to a traditional sport steeped in Mediterranean heritage. It’s not just physical competition, but a wild, rule-bound game with deep roots in local customs. The connection to the Saints Week celebrations adds another dimension, and it stretches beyond geographical boundaries, which I found intriguing as I dug deeper,” (paraphrased)

For three years, Hadid captured on film the riders, focusing on the customs and routines that significantly shape their existence, particularly their equestrian activities.

The movie is deeply personal; it draws you in. You feel like part of their lives, and it requires time for them to open up to you,” Hadid explains. “However, once that intimate access is granted, a unique blend of fiction and documentary occurs, a transformation if you will. I believe this is the strength of any collaborative project, but it’s particularly evident in filmmaking. The authenticity of the production exceeds gender, race, and initial reservations.

K Films collaborates with production companies like Kairoi Films, Louverture Films led by Danny Glover and Joselyn Barnes, and Cine Sud headed by Thierry Lenouvel. The producers involved are Hadid, Barnes, Abdelmonime El Jarib, Lenouvel, and now, Alami.

Louverture Films has backed Tala Hadid’s fresh hybrid documentary ‘Bardi’ since its start, being an extension of our involvement in her planned trilogy that started with ‘House in the Fields.’ As Barnes explains to EbMaster, Louverture Films initially supported a project focusing on women and girls in the High Atlas, particularly two sisters. This subsequent second film narrates through the realm of horses and men, the tale of brotherhood, community, faith, and nurturing.

Moreover, Tala’s exceptional ability to capture visual harmony and beat is further enhanced by the dynamic energy of the movie,” Barnes remarked.

Change is at the heart of her perspective, and it’s one of the reasons we were attracted to this project. She focuses on ordinary boys maturing into adults, while also delving into modern-day questions about masculinity. This theme is woven together with their transformations as they participate in equestrian performances that rise above the ordinary, catapulting them into a mythical realm that seems timeless.

2024-11-22 16:16

Khadija Alami’s K Films Boards Tala Hadid’s ‘Bardi,’ About Morocco’s Itinerant Horsemen (EXCLUSIVE)

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