Somewhere in Morocco, between 1920 and 1950... After fathering seven daughters, a man without an heir is convinced that his family is the victim of a harsh and ancient curse. To trick fate and prevent his brother getting hold of his fortune, he decides that his eighth child will be a boy, even if it is born a girl. He will be called Ahmed, will be brought up according to the male tradition and will take over his house and business upon his death... Thus is born Ahmed, his eighth daughter. The authoritarian and enigmatic Ahmed spends 21 years submitting to his father's will, painfully concealing his true identity without anyone finding out. At the age of 21, following the whole plot through to its logical conclusion, he tells his father that he plans to marry his cousin. Unable to take the idea of this marriage which goes against every taboo, the father calls Ahmed to his bedside and asks him to renounce this plan.