El Ejido, the Profit's Rule

Jawad Rhalib, Morocco, 2006

synopsis

Spain. Almeria, coastal province of renowned Andalusia and ancient desert that has become in 20 years the largest concentrated area in the world of culture under greenhouses. The artificial kitchen garden of Europe throughout the year. "Pateras", small unadapted boats spill out hundreds of immigrants on the Spanish coasts, all of them eager to gain Europe and better life conditions. What becomes of these immigrants and their dreams of an Eldorado? They end up in clandestinity and face a world nobody is prepared for.

They are trapped in their unbearable conditions of life and work made of disillusions, discouragement, anger and fear of not succeeding in their goal. Although home sick, their only path is to put up with the situation and not surrender. Keep their chin up and protect their pride for themselves and their family left behind. The film shows us their every day life of beasts of burden and points out the mechanism of an industrial system that exploits human beings and the environment.