"Horses of God", the latest film by Nabil Ayouch, has faced very violent criticism from a group of people who say they do not appreciate the image it portrayed of their neighbourhood: Sidi Moumen.

This incident occurred on Thursday evening, while the director, accompanied by a small team and a representative of the local authorities, was touring the neighbourhood in search of a space where he intends to screen this film on the theme of reconciliation on 15 May.

It is fair to say that these reactions surprised the director's entourage, especially since "we are in contact with many associations that are in favour of the film", Jawad Lahlou, communications manager for Ali n’Productions (the director's production company), told Libé. He added that "only two people out of the thirty present in that room took a stand against the film".

"Nabil Ayouch did not react for the simple reason that he is used to confronting different visions regarding his films", our contact added, also recalling that the director will initiate, on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Casablanca attacks, "an auction whose proceeds will allow for the construction of a cultural space in Sidi Moumen".

It should be noted that very recently, an illustrious stranger, claiming to represent the residents of Sidi Moumen, had also drawn attention to himself by attacking the film, which he accused of tarnishing the image of the neighbourhood. Before disappearing into thin air after facing criticism from those he claimed to represent.

Freely inspired by the novel by Mahi Binebine, "The Stars of Sidi Moumen", recalling the attacks of 16 May 2003, the film "Horses of God" traces the journey of the suicide bombers, from their childhood in the shanty town of Sidi Moumen to Salafist indoctrination. Through this work, Nabil Ayouch attempts to pinpoint the reasons that led them to descend into religious fanaticism.