The true story of Moroccan writer Mohamed Choukri, who grew up in poverty and illiteracy, with a violent father and a submissive mother who was the family's sole source of support.

Saïd Taghmaoui
as Young Mohamed Choukri

Fayçal Zeghadi
as Mohamed Choukri (13 years old)

Billal Lahsini
as Mohamed Choukri (6 years old)

Karim Benhadj
as Taferseti

Sanaa Alaoui
as Mimouna (Mohamed's mother)

David Halevim
as Haddou (Mohamed's father)

Marzia Tedeschi
as Sallafa (bald woman)

Ahmed El Kouraichi
as Kabil (smuggler)

Jamil Hammoudi
as Ali

Francesca Codispoti
as Harrouda (prostitute)