<p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr">Moroccan cinema is considered among the Arab films that most effectively reflect the diversity of Moroccan culture and enrich its rich cultural history. Moroccan films have recently witnessed a remarkable development in directing and storytelling styles. In 2024, Moroccan cinema presented many works that were distinguished by their boldness and diversity in the social issues they discussed.</p><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"></p><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> <span style="background-color:unset;color:rgba(0,0,0,0.87);font-family:inherit;font-size:16px;"><span lang="ar">You can follow the news and</span></span> <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://sbsial.com/ar/features/celebrity-ads"><span lang="ar">announcements of celebrities</span></a> <span style="background-color:unset;color:rgba(0,0,0,0.87);font-family:inherit;font-size:16px;"><span lang="ar">and all their</span></span> <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://sbsial.com/ar/features/exclusive-content"><span lang="ar">exclusive content</span></a> <span style="background-color:unset;color:rgba(0,0,0,0.87);font-family:inherit;font-size:16px;"><span lang="ar">that you can only find through the Special application, which is</span></span><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://sbsial.com/ar"><span lang="ar">a social networking application</span></a> <span style="background-color:unset;color:rgba(0,0,0,0.87);font-family:inherit;font-size:16px;"><span lang="ar">with special and unique features, as it includes a podcast that provides many unique features, as you can launch</span></span> <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://sbsial.com/ar/features/podcast-and-voice-recording"><span lang="ar">a podcast</span></a> <span style="background-color:unset;color:rgba(0,0,0,0.87);font-family:inherit;font-size:16px;"><span lang="ar">with your friends or listen to others, and it also provides information about</span></span> the <span style="background-color:unset;color:rgba(0,0,0,0.87);font-family:inherit;font-size:16px;"><span lang="ar">various</span></span> <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://sbsial.com/ar/features/celebrity-collectibles"><span lang="ar">possessions of celebrities</span></a> .</p><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> The Moroccan film industry has witnessed remarkable development in recent years, as it has begun to show a group of films that discuss important societal issues and reflect the reality experienced by most of its segments in a bold manner and with a modern artistic vision.<br> When it comes to filmmaking, Morocco has been the preferred filming location for countless Hollywood movies (from Lawrence of Arabia and Gladiator to Game of Thrones), and it has its own impressive film scene as well.</p><h2 style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> <span style="color:hsl(187, 48%, 51%);">Moroccan films</span></h2><h2 style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> <span style="color:hsl(187, 48%, 51%);">Adam (2019)</span></h2><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> Maryam Touzani's film, which nearly received an Oscar nomination upon its release in 2019, tells the story of Samia, a young woman who becomes pregnant out of wedlock and is taken in by a widow in a Moroccan village.</p><h2 style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> <span style="color:hsl(187, 48%, 51%);">Oh, God's Horses (2012)</span><br></h2><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> Horses of God movie</p><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> The film is based on the novel "The Stars of Sidi Moumen" by Moroccan author Mahi Benibine and was directed by Nabil Ayouch in 2012. It tells the story of the 2003 Casablanca bombings, which remain the deadliest terrorist attack in the country's history.</p><h2 style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> <span style="color:hsl(187, 48%, 51%);">Tattoo (1970)</span></h2><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"><br> This 1970 film by Hamdi Bennani is the perfect introduction to Western cinema. It tells the story of Massoud, a boy who rebels against his society and turns to a life of crime and disappointment.</p><h2 style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> <span style="color:hsl(187, 48%, 51%);">Ali Zawa (2000)</span></h2><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"><br> In this 2000 drama, director Nabil Ayouch tells the story of Casablanca's impoverished youth, telling the story of homeless boys who endure difficult conditions marked by pain, child abuse, and prostitution.</p><h2 style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> <span style="color:hsl(187, 48%, 51%);">A Blow to the Head (2017)</span></h2><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"><br> Want to watch a Moroccan comedy? Then check out this 2017 film by Hicham Lasri, which tells the story of Daoud, a police officer who is sent to spend the day on a bridge outside Casablanca, located on the border between two hostile neighborhoods, ahead of a visit by the Moroccan king.</p><h2 style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> <span style="color:hsl(187, 48%, 51%);">The State (1981)</span></h2><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"><br> You may have heard of the famous Moroccan band Nass El Ghiwane.</p><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> This 1981 documentary by Ahmed El Maanouni explores the band's work and includes concert clips and archive interviews with its members.</p><h2 style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> <span style="color:hsl(187, 48%, 51%);">Morocco (2005)</span></h2><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"><br> The film was screened at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival and quickly generated controversy.</p><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> It is director Leila Marrakchi's debut film and it tells the story of a young couple, one Muslim and the other Jewish.</p><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> The film caused a stir in society because it dealt with the relationship between the Jewish and Muslim religions, a subject that was considered taboo at the time.</p><h2 style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> <span style="color:hsl(187, 48%, 51%);">A Thousand Months (2003)</span></h2><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"><br> Set during Ramadan, the film, directed by Fawzi Ben Saidi, tells the story of a woman and her son trying to move on with their lives after her husband becomes a political prisoner, a secret she must keep from her son.</p><h2 style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> <span style="color:hsl(187, 48%, 51%);">A Thousand and One Hands (1972)</span></h2><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"><br> A 1970 film directed by Souheil Ben Barka that established the contemporary Moroccan cinema movement.</p><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> The film sheds light on Moroccan society and themes of revenge and ambition through the story of Mohi and his son Miloud. Mohi runs a textile dyeing workshop, but is forced to rely on his son to manage it after he falls ill.</p><h2 style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> <span style="color:hsl(187, 48%, 51%);">Casanecra (2008)</span></h2><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"><br> The film, directed by Nourredine Lakhmari, tells the story of two friends, Adil and Karim, living in Casablanca.</p><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> Adel is unemployed and earns his living by employing children to sell cigarettes, while Karim dreams of emigrating abroad to escape his difficult life with his alcoholic stepfather. The film reflects the harsh reality of Moroccan youth in big cities.</p><h2 style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> <span style="color:hsl(187, 48%, 51%);">The Beauty in You (2015)</span></h2><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"><br> In this bold film, director Nabil Ayouch offers a sharp, direct look at the lives of a group of women in Morocco who earn their living as prostitutes. The film raises questions about the challenges and social stigma these women face in an intolerant society.</p><h2 style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> <span style="color:hsl(187, 48%, 51%);">Love in Casablanca (1991)</span></h2><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"><br> Directed by Abdelkader Lagtaa, the film tells the story of Salwa, a young woman living in Casablanca who attempts to challenge strict traditions. She finds herself in a complex emotional struggle between two men: an older lover and a young photographer. The film highlights the challenges women face in choosing their path in a conservative society.</p><h2 style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> <span style="color:hsl(187, 48%, 51%);">Devil's Angels (2007)</span></h2><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"><br> Directed by Ahmed Boulane, the film is based on true events that took place in Casablanca in 2003, when 14 young rock musicians were arrested on charges of "Satanism" and "undermining the foundations of Islam." The film highlights the social constraints young people face in expressing themselves.</p><h2 style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> <span style="color:hsl(187, 48%, 51%);">Burning Hearts (2007)</span></h2><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"><br> Director Ahmed Maanouni takes us on a human journey with Amin, a young engineer who returns from Paris to Fez to visit his dying uncle. The journey brings Amin back to painful memories and complex decisions, in a story that combines psychological and dramatic depth.<br> The list of selected Moroccan films was topped by “Adam” by director Maryam Touzani, which ranked 25th, followed by two films by director Jilali Ferhati: “The Beach of Lost Children” (1991) in 44th place and “Reed Brides” (1981) in 46th place, then “Women and Women” (1997) by director Saad Chraibi in 55th place.</p><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> The list also included “On the Edge” (2011) directed by Leila Kilani in 70th place, “Sofia” (2018) directed by Meriem Benmbarek in 72nd place, “Dry Eyes” (2003) directed by Narjis Nejjar in 73rd place, “The Sleeper” (2004) directed by Yasmine Kassari in 76th place, “Love in Casablanca” (1991) directed by Abdelkader Lagtaa in 80th place, and finally “Heaven’s Door is Open” (1988) directed by Farida Benlyazid in 93rd place.</p><h2 style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> <span style="color:hsl(187, 48%, 51%);">The film "The Silences of the Palace", by the late Tunisian director Moufida Tlatli, topped the list.</span></h2><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> The list of films selected by critics included 1,421 feature films about women, including 946 films from Egypt, 110 films from Syria, 90 films from Morocco, 64 films from Iraq, 55 films from Lebanon, 53 films from Algeria, 47 films from Tunisia, 29 films from Palestine, and 15 films from Jordan, in addition to 3 films from Saudi Arabia, 2 films each from Yemen, the UAE, Bahrain, and Libya, and 1 film each from Kuwait, the Sultanate of Oman, and Sudan.</p>