L'mina

synopsis

Jerada is a Moroccan town with a rich history of coal mining. However, even after the mines were officially closed in 2001, the extraction of this black rock did not cease. Local residents venture underground on their own initiative to secure a livelihood for themselves and their families through illegal mining. This stylized documentary, featuring staged scenes with the residents of Jerada, offers an imaginary yet very concrete cross-section of the local landscape and society. In a long, dynamic shot, we descend into the mine, observe the self-proclaimed miners at work, facing danger, and then, with their precious cargo, return to the surface, where cars wait to transport the coal to dealers.

“With L’Mina, I wanted to bear witness to a contemporary social reality: a working-class group takes action in the midst of our current crisis.” — Randa Maroufi

biography

Randa Maroufi (born 1987) is a Moroccan filmmaker whose work explores themes of identity, migration, and history. She is interested in socio-political issues, particularly in relation to gender. Her films often use archival materials and personal stories to create a complex view of Moroccan society.

film details

director:	Randa Maroufi
cast:	Amine Mkallech, Laid Erramly
producer:	Randa Maroufi, Oumayma Zekri Ajarrai
script:	Randa Maroufi
photography:	Luca Coassin
editing:	Céline Perréard, Randa Maroufi
sound:	Sara Kaddouri, Toni Geitani, Randa Maroufi
production manager:	Khalid Attafi