Nabil Ayouch's brash, bold and exhilarating film focuses on a group of aspiring young hip-hop artists and dancers in Casablanca.

Teacher Anas (Anas Basbousi) runs a hip hop programme at a cultural centre in a troubled Casablancan neighbourhood. Under his guidance, his students discuss and debate the cultural issues and forces that shape their lives as they work towards planning a concert. Showcasing talents from beatboxing to improvising to rap, the performers spill out of the classroom, with thrilling dance sequences taking place in the streets and alleyways, and the group’s young women in particular defiantly claiming the opportunity to take up space and be seen and heard.

A celebration of a neighbourhood, its youth and their transformative creativity, Casablanca Beats is a vibrant, rousing story of self-expression, self-empowerment and the potential for social change.

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