At the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, Moroccan director Laïla Marrakchi presents her new film Les Fraises, which focuses on the lives of Moroccan women working in strawberry greenhouses in southern Spain. The film explores themes of migration, labor exploitation, and female solidarity.
In an interview with RFI, Marrakchi described strawberries as a central character in the film, stating, 'Yes, it's a character. I would almost say more. Strawberries and greenhouses are one. Both are the characters of the film.' The narrative follows several women who leave Morocco to work in the intensive agriculture sector in Huelva, a region known for its strawberry production.
The film sheds light on the often-invisible workforce behind Europe's fruit supply, addressing issues such as precarious working conditions and the resilience of these women. Marrakchi's previous works, including Rock the Casbah (2013), have also tackled social issues in Morocco.
Les Fraises is part of the official selection at Cannes 2026, which runs from May 13 to May 24. The film has garnered attention for its timely subject matter amid ongoing debates about migrant labor rights in Europe.
