Heavy metal drummer

This short film tells the story of a 15 years old Moroccan who is the only heavy metal fan in his town Essaouira, known for its traditional Gnaoua Music Festival. After rehearsing in a cave, he spends his weekends playing traditional ballads in a wedding band together with two of his cousins, but secretly dreams of playing thrash metal and headlining Monsters of Rock.

Heavy Metal Drummer is a subtle depiction of how such a passion for an “extreme” music, born out of the energy and frustration of a normal teenager, can lead towards marginalisation and loneliness in a conservative community. The short movie, co-directed by Luke Morris, Toby MacDonald and Amanda Boyle was released in 2005.