AllMovie

Filmmakers David Shadrack Smith and Charlotte Mangin offer a revealing window into the lives of Arab youth with this documentary about a treehouse-building workshop for Moroccan children conducted under the guidance of an American architect. At a time in their lives when these children are confronted with some of the most difficult decisions they have ever been faced with - such as risking their lives by emigrating to Europe, or facing an uncertain future in Tangier - the workshop takes on symbolic significance and becomes a transformative experience. Sixteen year-old runaway Amine Dahbi was abused by his mother at home, and now lives in a shelter for homeless children. Likewise, fifteen year old Elian Guemmah has been on his own ever since his mother died, and his father emigrated to Europe without so much as saying goodbye. As the workshop gets underway, fifteen year old high school drop-our Omar Bakkali emerges as something of a star pupil within the workshop. Conducted by American treehouse architect Roderick Romero, the workshop offered these three children the opportunity to learn about much more than simple carpentry. In addition to teaching these under-privileged students a useful and valued trade, it also helped them gain a better understanding of their concepts of home, family, and what it means to build a brighter future.