Jillali Ferhati was born in 1948 in Khemisset, Morocco. He is a scriptwriter, director, actor and producer. His first feature film Brèche dans le mur (A Breach in the Wall) was selected in the Critic’s Week section at the 1978 Cannes Film Festival. It was followed by Poupées de Roseau which was participated at the 1982 Cannes Film Festival in the Directors’ Fortnight and was awarded the First Prize at the Mediterranean Festival in Valencia. La Plage des Enfants Perdus (The Beach of Lost Children) was part of the official competition of the 1991 Venice Film Festival and received the Grand Prix at the African Cinema Festival. Among his works: Chevaux de Fortune (Horses of Fortune) – 1995, Tresses (Plaits) – 2000 and Mémoire en Détention (Memory in Detention) – 2004.