The Call

Inspired by a journey through Orlando’s vibrant Moroccan community, Central Florida arts instigator Terry Olson travels to Rabat to illuminate the human stories behind the 1975 Green March — when 350,000 unarmed Moroccan civilians crossed into Western Sahara, prompting Franco’s Spain to relinquish its colonial claim. Through firsthand accounts and historical reflection, Olson and Moroccan director Ahmed Bouchalga explore the legacy of this watershed moment and the decades of regional tension that followed. Olson also examines the enduring, little-known bond between Morocco and the United States, whose diplomatic ties reach back to 1777, when Morocco became the first nation to recognize American independence. Timely and illuminating, this powerful documentary reflects a nation’s struggle for independence amid the pressures of decolonization, and the lasting lessons that continue to resonate today with those who heed the call of freedom.