Filmmaker Asmae El Moudir is set to release her latest documentary, titled “Don’t Let the Sun Go Up on Me,” under the banner of Autlook Filmsales. This hybrid documentary is currently in production and will be showcased as a work-in-progress at the Marrakech Film Festival during the upcoming Atlas Workshops.
The documentary focuses on the life of Fatimazahra, a young woman afflicted with a rare genetic disorder that rendered exposure to sunlight lethal. This condition led her to create a unique community known as the Children of the Moon, who live their lives in nocturnal isolation. Following Fatimazahra’s passing in 2023, the group relocated to Norway’s Lofoten Islands to experience life beneath the polar night, seeking refuge in darkness that offers them safety.
El Moudir describes the project as a blend of fantasy and reality, stating, “We’re talking about a rare disease with a very strong antagonist: the sun. What normally represents joy becomes a source of danger. For this community, light can kill. In that sense, the project is like a vampire film made real.” She emphasizes the importance of portraying the community authentically, avoiding a victim narrative.
“We explore romantic relationships between people who exist in a world that, for others, appears as science fiction,” she adds. “They go out wearing astronaut helmets, day or night, yet for them, this is normal life. How do they see each other? How do they form love and connection within this community after the death of their leader?”
El Moudir collaborates with producers Emma Lepers of Haut et Court Doc and Monica Hellström of Ström Pictures. The documentary is expected to be completed by 2027. Stephanie Fuchs, CEO of Autlook Filmsales, expressed enthusiasm for the project, noting, “From our earliest conversations, it was clear she was embarking on another bold and visually striking project.”
El Moudir previously achieved acclaim with her documentary “The Mother of All Lies,” which also participated in the Atlas Workshops, winning the top post-production prize in 2021. The film received the Best Director award in the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival and earned the title of Best Film at the Sydney Film Festival. It notably became the first Moroccan film to win the prestigious Étoile d’Or at the Marrakech Film Festival.
Marrakech artistic director Rémi Bonhomme remarked on El Moudir’s impact, stating, “She has become an emblematic figure in Morocco because she truly paved the way for a new generation of filmmakers.” He highlighted the significance of the Atlas program in nurturing emerging filmmakers who require guidance in the early stages of their projects.
As El Moudir embarks on this new journey, her unique vision continues to attract attention within the filmmaking community, promising to shed light on an often-overlooked segment of society.
