Film Synopsis: Amussu

Imider, Southeastern Morocco. A rapacious silver mine has siphoned water from local aquifers for decades, drying out the almond groves belonging to an Amazigh community. Fearing their fragile oasis might disappear and their livelihoods destroyed, the villagers peacefully rebelled in 2011 and shut down a major water pipeline heading towards the mine. Eight years later, they continue to resist in a protest camp which has now practically turned into a small solar-powered village.

However, backed by conniving intelligence services and aggressively protected by the police, Africa’s biggest silver mine is no easy adversary. Dozens have been arrested for taking part of what the villagers have called “Amussu xf Ubrid n ’96” (Movement on Road ’96). Nonetheless, the resilient villagers continue to resist with the little means they have — songs, weekly assemblies, a flimsy camera, a film festival and endless ingenuity.