La sueur des palmiers (literally ‘the sweat of the palms’) is a colourful metaphor for the changing norms and values in the Egyptian countryside, motivated by the great exodus of poor workers to the rich oil states in the Persian Gulf. From the arid desert landscape, a bizarre caravan treks through a small oasis in Upper Egypt, where palm trees offer shade from the scorching sun. The leader of the caravan talks to the villagers about distant lands filled with treasures. All the men join the caravan, apart from young Achmed, who has his own dream: to climb the highest palm tree in his oasisvillage. In it is a palm wine, a real elixir of life that could cure Achmed’s grandfather, now paralysed and struck dumb. The women of the village, led by the beautiful Salma, gradually start to regard Achmed as the man of the village. Achmed is not too keen on this role, but is nevertheless drawn into what he sees as the sensual, sinister every day life of the women. In the meantime, the migrants send letters home, filled with complaints about bitter humiliations. When three men come back, they see that Achmed has grown up and influences the whole village. Achmed will have to die to wipe out their feelings of shame. With its indictment to the countryside, to the forgotten, dead south and to the problem of migration, Palm Wine forms an exception within Egyptian cinema.
