As the sun rises above a forgotten pyramid, Mahmoud saddles his horse Asefa beside a desert race track. This is how they prepare for their daily training. Friday, all eyes will be on them. Mahmoud senses the fear inside him. Will he be able to win the race one more time?

On Friday afternoon, men and boys arrive from all over the Fayoum oasis for the most important race of the year. As the sun begins to set, Asefa is brought forth to meet the joyous crowds. Mahmoud waits for her at the starting point. He reassures himself: ‘It is but one run, it will only take one minute, it is just Asefa and me.’ Putting his fear aside, he mounts the horse.

Dir. Grégoire Verbeke - 17 min - 2019 - Belgium

"A desert landscape that might as well be a moonscape" - DOK Leipzig