Baraka Paths
A documentary by Manoël Pénicaud & Khamis Mesbah (2007) Every spring, the Regragas go on pilgrimage for several hundred kilometres in Essaouira region, Morocco. Although modernists and fundamentalists would not agree, this tradition, issued from maraboutic Islam constitutes the roots of Moroccan culture. These 'pure' men visit during forty days their holy ancestors' sanctuaries, following an itinerary only known by them and stamped with Baraka, the divine gift. This is a chance to deeply discover an astonishing reality of the Muslim faith, a ritual that may date back to the beginning of Islam and North Africa's Christian past. Even today, the anticipation of the pilgrimage is palpable among the faithful followers. They watch for the caravan to come, with the hope of being cured of sickness, or getting married or giving birth, all of this thanks to Baraka. This year, Si-Ahmed, a Regraga's chief, is sick. His eldest son Abdelhaq will replace him. Si-Ahmed, who knows the ritual very well, will be with his son in his thoughts during the pilgrimage. Directors : Manoël Pénicaud and Khamis Mesbah Production : Autoproduction (2007) Lasting : 49' Language : arabic (VOSTENG) Broadcast on national Moroccan channel 2M in January 2014 (20 % audience / 1.8 million viewers) https://youtu.be/j-tB431e1Cc This movie won also the best documentary prize at the Sol et Luna Festival in Palermo, Sicilia (2008). Other Festivals : • 2014 : « Festival international du film de Lama », Corsica, 2014 • 2012 : « Culture Unplugged Festival », India | USA | Indonesia | New Zealand • 2012 : « Digital Marrakech III », Marrakech, 2012 • 2009 : « Religion Today Film Festival », Trente, Balzano and Rome • 2008 : « Rencontres Ethnographiques », Bordeaux • 2008 : « Festival International Jean Rouch », Musée de l'Homme, Paris • 2008 : « FIFEQ », Festival International du Film Ethnographique de Québec, Montréal • 2007 : « Sous le Signe d'Averroès », Cinémathèque de Nice • 2007 : « Escales Méditerranéennes : Le Maroc, un occident proche et lointain», Cassis • 2007 : « Festival international du livre et du film Étonnants Voyageurs », Saint-Malo
