EnDeFr
Accessibility
Visions du Réel International Film Festival Nyon 4–13.4.2025
Film still of the film Tea or electricity, directed by Jérôme le Maire, Visions du Réel 2012

Tea or electricity

Le thé ou l'électricité

Jérôme le Maire
Belgium | 2012 | 92 min
Language : Arabic
Subtitles : English, French

A remote hamlet in the High Atlas of Morocco, where conditions have changed little since the Middle Ages. Instead of the long-awaited road, the inhabitants are told that… electricity is about to be laid on. A captivating “inside” story, shot over three years, of a small community faced with the irruption of the modern commercial world, as well as an edifying philosophical fable on the notion of progress.

 

At Ifri, an isolated hamlet in the Moroccan High Atlas, families rear sheep and still live in medieval conditions. For years they have been waiting for the State to build them a road, an absolute priority if they are to emerge from their isolation and poverty. But one day they are told that they are being provided with… electricity.  For three years, the filmmaker followed the slow progress of the work, while observing the effects of change on the community. As well as recording these developments, the film describes the villagers with respect and a rare sense of involvement, their extreme poverty and great lucidity. The modernity imposed on them demands fresh sacrifices and unprecedented family and social pressure: “I don’t need this electricity”, says one man. “I just want bread, oil, a bit of meat, and peace. It is the children who want televisions, fridges, videos, satellite dishes…”. A valuable reminder of a world forgotten by everyone (except the laws of commerce!), and an edifying philosophical fable on the notion of progress.

Alessia Bottani.

Translation BMP Translations

Trailer

International Feature Film Competition

→ Tout le programme
Film still of the film Did you say Damascus, directed by Marie Seurat, Visions du Réel 2012 Did you say Damascus Marie Seurat
Yamo Rami Nihawi
Film still of the film 900 Days, directed by Jessica Gorter, Visions du Réel 2012 900 Days Jessica Gorter
Film still of the film The Dark Side of the Sun, directed by Carlo Shalom Hintermann, Visions du Réel 2012 The Dark Side of the Sun Carlo Shalom Hintermann
Film still of the film The Absence of Shadow, directed by Martin Otter, Visions du Réel 2012 The Absence of Shadow Martin Otter
Where the Condors Fly Carlos Klein
Film still of the film The Observers, directed by Jacqueline Goss, Visions du Réel 2012 The Observers Jacqueline Goss
Hard to be god Antoine Cattin & Pavel Kostomarov
Film still of the film The Punk Syndrome, directed by JP Passi, Jukka Kärkkäinen, Visions du Réel 2012 The Punk Syndrome JP Passi & Jukka Kärkkäinen
Film still of the film A Home Far Away, directed by Peter Entell, Visions du Réel 2012 A Home Far Away Peter Entell
Film still of the film Like Stone Lions at the Gateway into Night, directed by Olivier Zuchuat, Visions du Réel 2012 Like Stone Lions at the Gateway into Night Olivier Zuchuat
Film still of the film Condition, directed by Thomas Heise, Visions du Réel 2012 Condition Thomas Heise
Film still of the film Birth - Maternity Journal, directed by Jorge Caballero, Visions du Réel 2012 Birth – Maternity Journal Jorge Caballero
Film still of the film the six sides of a brick, directed by Damien Monnier, Visions du Réel 2012 the six sides of a brick Damien Monnier
Film still of the film Tea or electricity, directed by Jérôme le Maire, Visions du Réel 2012 Tea or electricity Jérôme le Maire
Film still of the film Gypsy Davy, directed by Rachel Leah Jones, Visions du Réel 2012 Gypsy Davy Rachel Leah Jones
Film still of the film After the Silence, what remains unsaid does not exist ?, directed by Vanina Vignal, Visions du Réel 2012 After the Silence, what remains unsaid does not exist ? Vanina Vignal
Film still of the film A Promise, directed by Peter Levin, Visions du Réel 2012 A Promise Peter Levin
Matthew's Laws Marc Schmidt