In this episode of The African Cinema Podcast, we journey through over a century of Moroccan cinema — from colonial-era propaganda to a globally recognized filmmaking industry that’s breaking taboos and pushing boundaries.
We explore how Moroccan filmmakers have navigated colonial legacies, state censorship, international co-productions, and digital revolutions to shape one of Africa’s most dynamic cinematic landscapes. With deep dives into institutions like the Moroccan Cinematographic Center (CCM), and films like Wechma, Ali Zaoua, and The Blue Caftan, this episode uncovers how Moroccan cinema has evolved into a bold mirror of society.
🎬 What You’ll Learn:
How colonialism shaped early film in Morocco
The birth of “cinematic modernity” in the 1970s
The role of the state and television in growing local film
The rise of female directors and diaspora voices
How Moroccan filmmakers use cinema to confront social issues
🎞️ Featured Films:
Le chèvrier marocain (1897)
Le fils maudit (1958)
Wechma (1970)
A Thousand and One Hands (1973)
Ali Zaoua: Prince of the Streets (2000)
A Door to the Sky (1988)
The Blue Caftan (2022)
Everybody Loves Touda (2023)
🎤 Notable Figures:
Hamid Bénani
Nabil Ayouch
Maryam Touzani
Farida Benlyazid
Faouzi Bensaïdi
Narjiss Nejjar
Souheil Ben Barka
Farida Bourquia
King Mohammed VI (film patronage)
🏛️ Institutions & Events:
Centre Cinématographique Marocain (CCM)
RTM, 2M, Medi1 TV
Marrakech International Film Festival
Atlas Workshops
Cinémathèque de Tanger
🔗 Resources & Mentions:
CCM: https://www.ccm.ma
Festival International du Film de Marrakech: https://marrakech-festival.com
Learn more at [Insert your podcast site or social link]
📣 Support the Podcast:
Enjoyed this episode? Follow The African Cinema Podcast, rate us on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and share with fellow cinephiles.