This film is part of Volume 2 of our summer series, Cinemaatjes, which centers around friendship.
Rabat takes you on a road trip through multiple countries and cultures. Nadir is tasked by his father with returning an old taxi to his uncle in Rabat, and his two best friends, Abdel and Zakaria, impulsively join him. As they journey through the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Spain, and ultimately Morocco, they pick up Julie, a French hitchhiker with whom Nadir develops feelings. What starts as a simple ride quickly turns into a journey full of secrets, confrontations with prejudice, and a search for identity and friendship.
In the intimate setting of Filmtheater De Uitkijk, Rabat truly shines. The film naturally weaves together street slang and humorous observations with poignant moments addressing racism, class divides, and cultural clashes. All of this is underscored by a soundtrack that reflects the musical identity of each country along the way—from Dutch Shaffy classics to French chansons.
The charm of Rabat lies in its simplicity and authenticity. The actors—largely unknown when the film was made—portray their characters with sincerity and believability. It’s this raw, sometimes naive style of acting that gives the film its heartfelt and disarming tone, effortlessly drawing the viewer into its world.