LE THÉ OU L’ÉLECTRICITÉ
TEA OR ELECTRICITY
Belgio / 2012 / 93 min / Colour
The epic tale of the arrival of electricity in Ifri, a small, isolated village in the Anti-Atlas range, in the heart of the Moroccan mountains. Not a single road reaches the village. It is impossible to carry the heavy electrical pylons and wires up there on the back of a mule. However, the residents become involved in the job site for the construction of a road. But the timeframe becomes longer, while the head of the electric company explains to these mountain people the advantages that they will have once electricity arrives. When the coveted line is finally operative, the switching on of lamps and television sends the symbolic message that life in these isolated lands has been changed, forever.
Jérôme le Maire
Born in Belgium in 1969, he studied journalism at the Free University in Brussels and directing at the Institut des Arts de Diffusion. With his films he has participated in prestigious festivals, including Rotterdam and Cannes with his feature film, Le Grand’Tour. Since 2004 he has lived with his family in an isolated palm grove in southern Morocco.
Credits
Language Berber Subject Jérôme le MaireScreenplay Jérôme le MaireCinematography Jérôme Colin, Jérôme le Maire, Antoine ParoutySound Jean-Luc EichefetEditing Matyass VeressMusic Christian MartinProducer Iota ProductionProduction company Iota Production