Red carpet for Moroccan cinema in Cannes
Nice success for the two Moroccan films, presented in world premiere, during the 76th edition of the Cannes festival which takes place from May 16 to May 27. Faouzi Bensaidi ‘s sixth feature film, “Désert” was screened on Thursday, May 18 at the Croisette theater, as part of its selection for the 55th edition of the Quinzaine des Cinéastes (the Directors’ Fortnight).
The film crew, made up of the director and of actors Fehd Benchemsi, Abdelhadi Taleb, and Nezha Rahil, received a standing ovation. The next day it was in the Debussy room that director Kamal Lazraq, surrounded by his two actors Ayoub Elaid and Abdellatif Masstouri, presented in preview, competing in the “Un certain regard” (a certain Glance) category the film “Les Meutes”, which also acclaimed by the public. A third film is also planned in the same selection, namely the film “Kadib Abyad” (The mother of all lies) by director Asmae El Moudir. Lazraq’s first feature film , “Les Meutes” is a noir thriller, with non-professional actors who burst onto the screen. The film tells the story of Hassan and Issam, father and son, living from day to day, committing one petty traffic after another for the local underworld. One night, father and son are tasked with kidnapping a man. Then begins a long night through the slums of the city. A nocturnal journey into an underworld universe populated by strange characters, in the marginal neighborhoods of the city of Casablanca. “Les Meutes” also tells the intimate story of a filial relationship. Hassan and Issam are caught in a machinery that is beyond them. Faced with this, they confront each other but also realize the almost indestructible strength of the bonds that unite them. From thrillers to westerns, Moroccan cinema is diversifying and leaving the dramatic genre in which it has remained frozen for several years. Faouzi Bensaidi offers in this road trip a human adventure of great intensity. There are two longtime friends, Mehdi and Hamid, working for a debt collection agency. They crisscross the villages of the great Moroccan South in their old car and share double rooms in shabby hotels. They have exactly the same size, the same suits and ties, the same shoes. Paid a pittance, they try to play tough to make money. One day, in a gas station planted in the middle of the desert, a motorcycle parks in front of them. A man is handcuffed to the luggage rack, looking threatening. He is the escapee. Their meeting marks the beginning of an unexpected and mystical journey. Both films are produced by the Casablanca-based company Mont Fleuri. The company’s calling is the production of films by independent authors and the support to foreign filmmakers for their shoots in Morocco. This Mont Fleuri company has collaborated with filmmakers such as Philippe Faucon (“Les Harkis”, Quinzaine des Réalisateurs, Cannes 2022), Meryem Ben’Mbarek (“Sofia”, Un certain regard, Cannes 2018) and Yasmine Benkiran (“Reines”, Settimana della critica, Venice Film Festival 2022).
A.Bo
