Roqia

by Yanis Koussim

Synopsis

In 1993, after a car crash leaves Ahmed amnesiac, he returns to his village, where nothing feels familiar — not his wife, not his children. His youngest, frightened by Ahmed’s bandaged face, fears him deeply. Each night, strange visitors whisper litanies in an unknown tongue. Who are they? And why does his so-called friend, the neighbor, make him feel so uneasy?

In the present, an ageing Raqi battles Alzheimer’s. As possessed people speak in foreign tongues and violence rises, Ahmed fears regaining memory — while the disciple fears his master’s decline may unleash an ancient evil.

Specifications

France, Algeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia 89 min. 1.85:1 Algerian Arabic 1st feature film

Written & Directed by

Yanis Koussim

Produced by

Farès Ladjimi (Supernova Films)

Co-produced by

In co-production with 19, Mulholland Drive Production

Cast

Ali Namous (Ahmed)

Akram Djeghim (Disciple)

Mostefa Djadjam (Raqi)

Hanaa Mansour (Waffa)

Lydia Hanni (Selma)

Abdelkrim Derradji (Abdelkrim)

With the friendly participation of Adila Bendimerad

Crew

Screenplay & Direction: Yanis Koussim

Director of Photography: Jean-Marie Delorme

Sound Engineer: Régis Boussin

Costume Designer: Jean-Marie Miretè

Production Designer: Saad Ouled Bachir

Editors: Sarah Zaanoun & Maxime Pozzi-Garcia

Festivals

Settimana Internazionale della Critica – Venice 2025 – World Premiere