Déserts

In a Moroccan desert, a group of men are tasked with setting up a luxury hotel and spa. The project is overseen by a charismatic but mysterious businessman, who seems to be orchestrating events for reasons beyond mere construction. As the desert landscape transforms with the development, so do the lives and perceptions of the workers, leading to a darkly comic and surreal exploration of ambition, illusion, and the human condition.

Déserts received a mixed to positive reception from critics, who often lauded its unique, dreamlike atmosphere and Bensaïdi's distinctive directorial style. While some found its pacing slow and its narrative oblique, others praised its visual artistry and its thought-provoking, allegorical commentary on modern society and the pursuit of wealth.

• Visually striking with a surreal, allegorical narrative.

• Praised for its artistic direction and thematic depth.

• Criticized by some for its slow pace and enigmatic plot.

Google audience: Audience reviews for 'Déserts' are not widely available, making it difficult to provide a specific summary of Google user sentiment.

Screened at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in 2016.

Director Faouzi Bensaïdi often uses the vast, stark landscapes of Morocco as a metaphorical backdrop in his films, exploring themes of societal transformation and individual identity against elemental backdrops.