Traitors

This Moroccan film is set in Tangiers; we meet Malika who is the lead singer of an all girl punk band 'Traitors'. They have an interesting homage to the Clash in 'I'm so bored with Morocco'. Then they get the chance of a record deal, but the catch is they have to make their own demo and pay for the studio time.

Being young they are all a bit light on money and all feel something will come up. Malika then meets a wheelchair bound drug crim in Samir. He makes her a lucrative offer, but she will need to drive a consignment of drugs from the factory to the port. After some reluctance she accepts. Once committed she is partnered up with a worn out drug mule and they are set on their way. What started out as a means to get some extra cash takes on a whole new meaning once Malika realises what she is dealing with.

This is a film from American director Sean Gullette and he has given us a crime based Moroccan film that avoids a lot of clichés in terms of car chases etc. We also have a woman lead who is far from conventional and Chaimae Ben Acha as Malika puts in a noteworthy performance. In Arabic, French and some English with good sub titles in English. This is a film where the plot is a simple one, but the fabric around it adds to the complexity and makes for a compelling and rewarding watch