Layla M.

Original Title: Layla M.

98' | 2016 (Completed)

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All images & Videos

(8 images)

Director:	Mijke De Jong
Producer:	Dirk Impens
Writer:	Jan Eilander, Mijke De Jong

Full credits

Layla is an 18-year-old girl of Moroccan descent, born and raised in Amsterdam, who becomes increasingly radicalised and is eventually forced to flee to the Middle East.

synopsis

Layla is an 18-year-old girl, born and raised in Amsterdam. She is smart, witty and stubborn - and of Moroccan descent. During the constant terrorist threats, Layla struggles with the increasing suspicion towards girls with headscarves and boys with beards that she witnesses every day. While her frustration grows, her faith intensifies. Eventually, she joins a group of Muslims who fight to practise Islam. She posts films online depicting the horrors in Syria and Gaza and makes political flyers while also flirting with the charismatic Abdel.When she and her peace-loving brother are arrested by the police Layla, feeling hurt and isolated in her anger and in conflict with her parents, is left with only one option: to leave home. She chooses marriage with Abdel. After their wedding, they roam the country together, performing 'missionary work' and raising money for the good cause. But after they narrowly escape a raid by the Belgian police on a group of young jihadists, they have to flee to the Middle East.

Credits

Director
Mijke De Jong
Producer
Dirk Impens
Writer
Jan Eilander, Mijke De Jong
Cast
Nora El Koussour
Editing
Dorith Vinken
Photography
Danny Elsen
Art direction
Jorien Sont
Costume
Jacqueline Steijlen
Sound
Joost Roskam
Makeup
Trudy Buren
Music
Can Erdogan

Format

Creation details

Type
Film
Category
Fiction
Production share
Minority Flemish co-production
Belgium
Genre
Year of production

2016
Production status
Completed
Original title
Layla M.

Technical specs

Running time
98'
Aspect ratio
2.40:1
Sound format
5.1 (+ sub)
Available formats
DCP
Colour
Colour

Contact & sales

Contact

Menuet

Puursesteenweg 390 C
2880 Bornem
Belgium

alberte.gautot@menuet.be

www.menuet.be

Details
Sales

Beta Cinema

Gruenwalder Weg 28
DE-82041 Oberhaching
Germany

T +49 89 67 34 69 - 829
beta@betacinema.com

www.betacinema.com

Festivals & awards

Festivals

2016: Toronto International Film Festival (CA); London BFI Film Festival (UK); Alice Nella Citta (IT); Arabian Nights - Dubai International Film Festival (AE), Hot Topics - Black Nights International Film Festival (EE); Chicago Film Festival (US); Philadelphia Film Festival (US), Marrakech International Film Festival (MA)

Awards

No award information available.

Partners

Co-production partners

Marina Blok - NRT (NL), Dirk Impens - Menuet (BE), Alexander Wadouh - Chromosom Film (DE), Marcos Kantis - Schiwago Film (DE), Rula Nasser - The Imaginarium Films (JO)