THE WIND HORSE (AOUD REH)
Morocco, 2001, 85 minutes, Colour.
Mohammed Majd, Faouzi Bensaidi.
Directed by Daoud Aoulad Syad.
The Wind Horse is a story of two men of different generations who go on a quest, an old man alienated from his son and his ambitious wife going to visit his wife's grave, the younger man being let out of a hospital because he was sent a letter to say that his mother was still alive.
The film opens with the old man and the audience sees life from his perspective, watching young people on the beach, going home and listening to the complaints of his daughter-in-law, the money ambitions of his son. When the bus breaks down, he joins up with the younger man who is anxious about his mother. They journey along the Moroccan coast to different towns, meeting old friends, encountering new people, the old man visiting the grave, the young man eventually finding his mother in a state of mental decay.
There is a deep humanity in this film, an understanding of family and tensions, a portraying of the warmth and depth of friendship.
1. A moving film, the journeys, the shared experiences and friendship? A quest for family and roots?
2. The Moroccan settings, the coast, the road, the desert, the towns and cities? The musical score?
3. Tahar and his sitting on the beach, watching the young people, going home, the complaints, his son's ambitions, his wanting to leave? Leaving in the morning, in the bus, walking along the beach, the encounters with Driss? Their walking together, the old man's quiet and sullenness, gradually revealing something of himself? The journey, the mutual dependence, Driss and his brother, the meal, staying the night, the motorbike with the pillion seat? Their travels, the visit to the cemetery, Tahar and his not wanting Driss to come? Driss's waiting, driving him? The old man going to see his former friend, reminiscing about his work with horses in the past, his hands unable to do the work any more? The meal together? His urging Driss to find his mother, journeying in the city, travelling in the boat, waiting and comforting Driss after he finds his mother? A portrait of a sympathetic man, simplicity, depth of feeling, hurts and regrets, memories of his wife, hopes in his old age?
4. Driss, the hospital background, the comic look and touch, not knowing his age, the story of the letter about his mother and showing it to Tahar? Taking Tahar to his brother's place, the discussion on the roof with his brother about their mother and finding her? Going on the trip with Tahar, encountering the carnival people, watching the woman on the motorbike, attracted to her, discussions about seeing her in performance, the accident, finding out she was engaged? Continuing his journey, waiting outside the cemetery, discovering his mother, her sitting and chanting, his grief? Yet having reached the end of his quest?
5. The portrait of the family, the ambitions, the son talking about money, the woman complaining? The little boy and his grandfather?
6. Driss's brother, his work, wife, hospitality, moods, attitude towards his mother?
7. Tahar's friend, his wife, sharing reminiscences, the old man having to go to hospital, his friend taking him, Driss bringing him out and helping him further on his journey?
8. The carnival people, their experience, accidents, relationships?
9. Driss's mother, the home, the aged people and their loss of memory, senility? Her chanting?
10. The overall impact of emotion and sympathy, appreciation of friendship?
