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]

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