Fez — Moroccan cinema will add a new title to its slate of socially engaged dramas next month with the arrival of “Resilience (Résilience)”, the latest feature from director Mohamed Karrat. Set for a national theatrical release on October 15, 2025, the 90-minute film marks a career milestone for Asmaa El Khamlichi, who co-produces and stars in the project for the first time.
The rollout includes three advance screenings: October 10 at Pathé Californie (Casablanca), October 14 at Megarama (Casablanca), and a Marrakech preview in October (date to be confirmed). Producers say the early shows are designed to spark conversation around the film’s core themes and introduce audiences to emerging cast members Asmaa El Arbouini and Mohcine Elmountaki.
“Resilience” follows the intertwined journey of two sisters, Nouha and Asmaa, as they navigate social pressure, family expectations, and the emotional fallout of destructive relationships. At its center is a portrait of coercive control—specifically, the grip of a narcissistic abuser—and the painstaking work of turning pain into inner strength. The story aims to mirror challenges faced by many contemporary Moroccan women while keeping its message accessible and universal.
For Karrat, the film extends a filmmaking approach rooted in realist drama and psychological depth. His direction places the audience close to the characters’ private choices, using intimate framing and restrained pacing to explore how control operates in everyday life. The result is a character-driven narrative that treats trauma and recovery with gravity rather than sensationalism.
El Khamlichi’s dual role shapes the film’s identity. On screen, she anchors the drama with a performance that tracks both vulnerability and resolve. Off screen, her co-producer credit signals a larger commitment to stories centered on women’s experience and agency. “‘Resilience’ is more than a film; it is filled with powerful symbols and speaks to the inner strength of Moroccan women,” she said after viewing the final cut.
Producers frame the feature as both intimate drama and social mirror, a work built to resonate with audiences across age groups while encouraging discussion about toxic relationships, consent, and support networks. With a compact 90-minute runtime and a focus on performance, the team expects the film to travel within Morocco’s commercial circuit and into festival conversations at home and abroad.
Tickets for the Casablanca previews will be available at participating theaters, with Marrakech details to follow. “Resilience” opens kingdom-wide on October 15, positioning Karrat and El Khamlichi’s collaboration as one of the fall season’s most watched Moroccan releases.
