A project initially scheduled for a 2023 shoot has finally been greenlit, with Cineuropa confirming that Meryem Benm’Barek has been filming her sophomore feature since midway point last month. Behind the Palm Trees stars Sara Giraudeau and Driss Ramdi in leading roles, with strong support from Carole Bouquet, Olivier Rabourdin, Rachel O’Meara, and Nadia Kounda. Benm’Barek’s debut feature Sofia was a 2018 Cannes Un Certain Regard selection – winning the Best Screenplay in the section. Production is taking place in Tangier and Benm’Barek has re-teamed with her cinematographer Son Doan. A project was part of the 2022 Atlas Workshops in Marrakech, Tessalit Productions’ Jean Bréhat is producing. Novak Prod’s Olivier Dubois and Agora Films’ Souad Lamriki are also onboard. This should be ready for a Locarno or Venice Film Festival premiere.
Tipped as a romance, psychological thriller, this follows Mehdi who leads an exemplary life with his family and his new girlfriend, Selma. Everything is going wonderfully for the young couple, until Mehdi makes the acquaintance of Marie, a French expat who enjoys a high-society lifestyle …
