About

'Violence is not a show, violence does not come from nowhere; it has an origin. Horses of God goes back to the roots of this violence and shows us, without judging, how 10-year-old children lost their humanity and were transformed into human bombs. More than ever, it seems to me important today that the American audience hears another voice on a phenomenon as sensitive as terrorism.' Nabil Ayouch

'Inspired by the novel Les étoiles de Sidi Moumen by Mahi Binebine, Les chevaux de Dieu tells the story of two brothers who grow up in a poor neighbourhood in Casablanca. At an early age they become familiar with drugs and crime. Through a mixture of poverty, dissatisfaction and fury, they become fascinated by Islamic fundamentalism and decide to become martyrs for Al Qaeda. A film that sows the seed of understanding for Islamic terrorists is automatically controversial. But it's a clever achievement on the part of Nabil Ayouch that he manages to persuade the viewer not only to understand the protagonists, but also to empathise with them. The film does not condemn them, so we can't simply judge them.' International Film Festival Rotterdam

Ages 18+