An extraordinary accomplishment. Moroccan-language films have never been afraid to tackle controversial subjects but rarely have prostitution, adultery and homosexuality been so openly portrayed. For those not familiar with the country, all three can be subject to swingeing penalties, although the cops rarely make it their business to pursue such “crimes”. So much is true to life here. The daily struggle to survive of a single mother who is aging and losing her allure is convincing. Aïcha Tebbae as Fatima-Zahra portrays unflinchingly and accurately the life of a fading beauty, now blowsy, her dyed hair giving the game away that she’s a good-time girl. Abdellah El Hajjouji playing Selim, a first-time actor like Tebbae, is perfect as an uneducated youth questioning his sexuality and slowly acting on it. Another truism in the story was the exploitative relationships between locals and foreigners. The locals had a subservient place according to the expats. This colonial-style hangover is slowly fading fortunately as Morocco modernises and thrusts its own way into the world stage. However, betrayal of Moroccans by other Moroccans is portrayed too. There was so much in this film that the writers and director drew together into a coherent whole. We don’t see how this work could have been bettere