The Desert Ark

Plot

The Desert Ark (L'Arche du Desert), a variation on Romeo and Juliet set in the Algerian desert. A young couple must face inevitable conflict when their rival families discover their secret love. Taking refuge in a cave, they listen to the sounds of a senseless campaign of violence and murder, which is the culmination of the extremism that has long divided their two communities. Nominated for the Golden Leopard at the 1997 Locarno Film Festival.

Cast

Myriam Aouffen

Myriam

Abdelkader Belmokadem

Wise Omar

Hacen Abdou

Amin

Hassan Kachach

Uncle

Messaouda Adami

Houria du Ksar

Shyraz Aliane

Cousine

Amin Chouikh

Child

Hamdou Djaballah

Musician

Lynda Fares

Myriam's aunt

Rachid Dahmane

Abdelrahim Bouzine

Musician

Mustapha Boudoya

Amin's friend

Bahous Bouhafs

Beggar

Ali Bensaïb

El Moutanabi

Abdelkrime Bencheikh

Amin's brother