Casablanca – Moroccan cinemas are preparing to host the pre-premiere of “Carved by the Wind” on May 5, a film that explores questions of identity and belonging through the lens of migration.
Directed by Layla Triqui, the 2024 production brings together a cross-cultural cast from Morocco, France, and Syria, featuring Ouidad Elma, Mahmoud Nasr, Anne Loiret, and Mohammed Azelrab Kaghat.
The story unfolds in Tangier, following Sofia, a photographer whose life takes an unexpected turn when she learns that her French mother, whom she believed had passed away two decades earlier, is still alive.
Driven by this revelation, she travels to France in search of answers, stepping into a journey that becomes as much about reconnecting with her past as it is about redefining her sense of self.
The casting itself reflects the film’s core themes. Bringing together artists from different cultural backgrounds mirrors the dualities explored on screen. In that sense, the presence of Ouidad Elma, who shares a French-Moroccan identity, adds an additional layer that subtly echoes Sofia’s story.
Beyond its plot, “Carved by the Wind” leans into questions many quietly carry, especially those shaped by mixed backgrounds.
Growing up between cultures often creates a layered identity, where belonging is not tied to one place but shaped by overlapping influences, memories, and languages.
The film explores that in-between space, where identity is not fixed but constantly evolving. Through Sofia’s journey, it reflects on what it means to come from a mixed family, where two worlds meet without always fully merging, leaving individuals to navigate their own sense of belonging.
The film’s journey to Moroccan screens follows a strong run across national and international festivals, where it has earned eight awards and two special jury mentions along the way.
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