Mirage was Ahmed Bouanani’s only feature film, yet it made a lasting impact on Moroccan cinema. The story begins with a poor farmer who finds a large sum of money in a sack of flour. This simple event unfolds into a rich allegory about a country haunted by its colonial past and search for identity. Mohamed El Habachi delivers a powerful performance as the protagonist, navigating a space between harsh reality and dreamlike visions. The film stands out for its striking visual style and strong symbolism, blending poetic imagery with social critique. Many have compared it to the cinema of Luis Buñuel for its mix of surrealism and socio-political undertones. Its fragmented narrative—drawing from folktales and poetic montage—can be disorienting. Yet this is also where its strength lies. Defined by an “aesthetic of wandering,” Mirage is a bold, original, and demanding film deeply rooted in Moroccan cultural memory. — RACHID NAIM