Prepare for an intimate, spiritual and profound portrait of the extraordinary Hasna El Becharia [from the Saharan city of Béchar], pioneer Gnawa artist.

As the first female musician to break through the social barriers of this culture, Hasna El Becharia empowers and inspires women of all ages by reclaiming a musical tradition reserved for men for centuries.

In Desert Rocker, we hear directly from this singularly talented artist, as she leads women to redefine their roles and challenge cultural norms, one musical performance at a time.

As part of DzFest, the film is followed by a Q&A with Director Sara NACER, a Canadian-Algerian emerging filmmaker based in Montreal.