Monday, December 17, 2012

Young cinema or cinema of the youth


Written by Allal El Alaoui

            It is indeed a complex question whether there is a cinema of the youth or young cinema, but obviously there is young cinema or simply young people who have been successful to make beautiful movies such as Orson Welles, Sam Peckinpah and Truffaut not forgetting some Arab film makers who have been good to produce handsome movies when they were in the early age naming for example Shadi Abdel Salam, Youssef Chahine and Mohammed Lakhdar-Hamina

            There is a French proverb that says "If only young people know and if only old people can". It is true that young people are asked to dare in order to write and realize their own vision in movies. However, how can youth create knowing that their minds are old? It is a sort of phobia that young people of Morocco are suffering from today especially this question is remarked by too many university professors either in Marrakech; Rabat, Casablanca, or even Fez.

            Young people are confronted with two main elements that influence them in making their careers. First is money I mean to say Box office .I know a young film maker living in Salé who is  continuously cursing system by scorning official head masters of media .However, his rage is not translated in cinema. He is trapped into box offices headaches and of course the size of money that he can make out of it. Unless for example an Indian film maker , Yash Shopra,recently died  who works silently but makes controversial movies already marked in history of cinema of entertainment naming for example his beautiful film called  Veer-Zaara that was successful to  unite two  struggling countries Pakistan and India. Because of this strong message of this film, frontiers between these two countries are open. From this context, I want our young people to use their rage in making cinema like the one of Shopra.

           The second thing that faces young people is creation or art. Art films are not easily made. But, creation can be fruitful if they work on it by hard work like reading international and national books, watching all kind of movies and discuss them with lucid and intelligent minds. Participating in film festivals can help to create criteria mind either in amateur film festival or professional one. Amateur film festival sometimes surprises us with introducing beautiful films. But if an amateur film festival intends only to make controversy or money then things become difficult. This happens Kalaat Des Sraghna Short Film Festival  with Mustapha Chaabi's short film called "Al Qods Abnadem" and my short film called" The will" that were selected in competition .At the end, when the jury presents awards, its head master Mohamed chwika states that our films named above can not be awarded because they are too professionals. Why do film festival director call professionals film makers then? What is the game? I can not get it.

I call all young people to work hard and start make movies using all sort of simple media tools that exist now in the market like I phone  cameras, simple editing sofwares, Cameras with SD or HD cards , using studio or artificial lightings if it is possible  especially write movies with the help professional actors and actresses and of course with film makers too. Insist to work and produce beautiful films especially filming our vision our dreams that still invade us whenever we are .This love of cinema and this rage in us will help us to refuse to be unproductive i mean to say to be old. 
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Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Kenza friddou pop-art actress or forgotten playwright



Trained theatrically by Abdelmajid Fenniche in a millennium city called Salé;kenza still loves theatre and goes taking tremendous risks to meet simple Moroccan youth in Morocco.



This female called Kenza literary meaning treasure in Arabic, she moves benignly wears  Moroccan high class Kaftans  and puts  in her face human and warm smile that no other actress has .Her name is Kenza Friddou ,first script –girl in the history of Moroccan cinema; and she would love to play mysterious roles  like Aicha kandicha,Mi zhor , lady Macbeth , the smiling  lady at Douwar Micca in Salé and strange lady playing with Ahmed Tahcfine's movies,Shimi's adapted play  in Oujaa Trab, and the witch- dancer  in "The Will" by Allal El Alaoui"



Kenza Friddou is a popular lady who is a playwright, pop-art singer ,and good actress. She is keen to help in the sets of cinematic scenes where she performs her role with great honesty and devotion. She helps film makers and stage directors either in make –ups or script-techniques.kenza is now purchasing theatre-goers by making a tour around Moroccan towns ,villages and cities via her"Travelling theatre" Masrah Arrahal" from this sunday 16th of 2012.
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Tuesday, December 04, 2012

Xenophobia in FIFM against Moroccan journalists



Beaten hard by French security guards at FIFM, Moroccan journalists, under the severe cold climate of the outside, protest with disgust about xenophobia in their own country. Neither Moroccan journalists nor artists are wanted to be seen in Marrakech; states an independent news maker; for Moroccan journalists to cover up daily news of this event called International film festival in Marrakech and for Moroccan artists just to show off and be proud  like their international colleagues.

Being cinema-goer, I joyfully phone friends since Rabat just to see if things get better knowing that i have received the 2012 Marrakech accreditation but without permission to neither stay in FIFM hotels nor eat comfortable food like my fellow mates. Things I still can not believe about the policy of the foundation, although I am myself a film maker and also cinema blogger; having three professional cards one is confirmed by Nour-eddine sail, the second by Mustapha Khalfi and the third one by Faisal laraichi. 

From this context, sometimes we have that feeling we are watching an expensive carnival as Hassan benchalikha states. Too may critics have different views about the benefits and fruits that might gain Moroccan cinema to embrace Marrakech each year for its organization of this genre "A'  Festival especially expensive stars of seventh art from different countries come to our red city  where they find luxury bungalows and luxury hotels .Some ask where  money goes without return of tangible national cinema, while others think that the Film Festival of Marrakech open  opportunities to tourists in order to  invest in Morocco.
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It is obvious that this festival allows cinema-goers to meet international producers, actors and film makers especially we have succeeded to seduce Bollyood to shoot its movies in Morocco (see my article on Morocco Bound To Hindi Cinema) .Now, we are happy that Moroccan cinema is strongly participating with two remarkable directors, the first one is Nabil Ayouch " Ya Khill Allah" and the second is Nour-eddine Lakhmari 'Zero". We really hope that FIFM promotes Moroccan cinema and that "film activity is real and not propaganda," that "the advancement of the CCM project should be the purpose and means to accomplish common productions, and build closer cooperation with other festivals, and exchange views at the global level.

Written by Allal El Alaoui 
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Thursday, November 29, 2012

The world said big "YES" to the "state" of Palestine



 Yes, it is a sweet road to recognition that the Palestinians feel tonight when the whole world said yes to 
Palestine to create its own state with sovereignty

Only one country that unfortunately opposes UN recognition is The US and some countries that are under pressure of Obama administration. This certainly isolates United States and Israel .However, in the nearest future The U S A will learn to deal with Palestinians with dignity and sovereignty.

Palestinians deserve to have their state and Jerusalem its capital .Israel, being more isolated will have to go to negotiations with new rules especially if Palestine reunited under again.

Abou Jihad will be happy to hear this news and also other people  like Sheikh Yasssine, George Habach , Abu Nidal and more others.

Palestine and Israel will have to think one everlasting state governed by Palestinians and Israelis .Why not, this is a dream of many like Edward  Said and others .Occupation must vanish for ever and democracy prevails but not the democracy based on criminality that is practiced by Israelis .

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Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Taher ALWAN awards Allal via Baghdad



                    Arrived by a handsome plane from Iraq to Rabat via France, the attestation of the jury prize which was given to Allal El Alaoui in Baghdad Film festival by handsome jury spearhead by Herbert Gehr- Producer: Germany, Oula izziden –Script writer & Professor: Egypt, Adnan schamat –Actor: Syria and Awatif Naiem – Theatre Director: Iraq.

                   The paper of Biff attestation reminds me of that firts good Chinese paper also used by Moroccan kings and queens and by diplomats resided inherently in our Sherifian capital.The attestation handed by Alwan is as beautiful as Iraq0

                                            The Jury Prize goes to:

                                                  “The Will” by Allal El Alaoui from Morocco


The Jury wants to specially mention The Will from Morocco as a film that tells an archaic story, from a filmmaker that has developed a strong aesthetic style
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Monday, November 26, 2012

Al wassia chosen in Kalaat Sraghna film festival




             Kalaat Srghnaa is organizing its third session of the national cinematic day gathering young filmmakers and creators from the kingdom of Morocco.

            This event is a special film meeting where all Moroccan film makers via creation of short film category will compete to choose best films this year 2012. Kalaat Sraghna cinematic third edition will be spearheaded by as jury, film critic Mohamed chwika and it pays homage to his brother, Driss chwika.


             The festival Organizes the third session of the film days with a view to the culmination of their work and contribute to the dissemination of film culture within among young people, and support innovators in the field of cinema, while ensuring continuity of the transition from hobby to professional, and thus contribute to the development of quality and quantity.
Under the slogan:


"Youth Cinema and its role in human development"

From 13 to 16 December 2012 Culture House Castle Kalaat Sraghna Association .

لائحة الافلام المشاركة في الدورة الثالثة للأيام السينمائية بقلعة السراغنة 2012
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Monday, November 05, 2012

Mohamed Ismail awards Allal El Alaoui in Salé




 "Al Wassia" is an Arabic name literary means in English The will. It is a short film, drama genre, is well performed by a Sahara voice called Mohammed Achich whose nostalgic song echoes beautiful and golden dunes of Moroccan desert.

The will written and directed by Allal El Alaoui, an archaic story performed by professional actors and actresses, is continuously welcomed around the world and awarded by national short film festivals such as Salé short film festival whose jury headed by Mohamed Ismail nicely impressed by Allal's craft and also "the will"  will   be introduced to  international film festivals namely Baghdad Film festival  ( see the jury prize ) and soon Arab film festivals.


 Now it is going to be seen by Moroccan cinema – goers whose taste is great and they are impatient to discover this well constructed plot of "Al Wassia" already shot in Zagora, a beautiful town in the south of Morocco .The will is graciously   played by a passionate Sheikh betrayed by his wife and because he has a beautiful soul and he willingly tolerates his wife. So, Sheikh forgives her along with his cousin condemned to exile in deep Sahara because of his Attempt to commit Murder.
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Thursday, October 18, 2012

Moroccan media scoops Allal El Alaoui about Baghdad International Film Festival (BIFF)

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Monday, October 15, 2012

The co-existence of Film and Digital in the future




 Media such as Film and Digital co-exist. Film remains a strong support compared with the Digital. In Morocco, we still have at CCM labs some prints that Sultan Moulay Hafid bought to entertain himself from France. Prints of Frères Lumière still archived in France too. However, the Digital takes over film and some filmmakers now are shooting their movies using Digital format and later on they kinescope them onto film


         Whether it is Film or Digital, I myself want to shoot and express myself both formats but Film is expensive and solid. It is true that film is worthwhile than digital ,but I would love to put on my hands in my pockets and direct scenes on sets either with 1.85 or 2: 40  formats .Film can resist temperature by putting it into cold whereas Digital may be lost and damaged unless it is well cared .

        .From this context , i want to republish some interviews done by producers , technicians and filmmakers about an article on a American film documentary  called Side by Side  directed  by Chris Kenneally.It is an interesting article already published in Theasc interface and for Moroccan readers here is the full article

Side by Side by Chris Kennelly
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Monday, October 08, 2012

The jury prize goes to Allal El Alaoui in Baghdad

BIFF 2012 JURY DECISIONS

  BIFF, BIFF 2012, Festival 2012, Jury, PRESS


The Jury Prize goes to:
 “The Will” by Allal El Alaoui from Morocco
The Jury wants to specially mention The Will from Marocco ,as a filmmaker that tells an archaic story, from a filmmaker that has developed a strong aesthetic style.


 The Long Fiction Film Competition

First Prize goes to “Otelo Burning” by Sara Blecher from South Africa.

The Jury Prize goes to “Alzheimer” by Ahmad Reza Motamedi from Iran.


The Short Drama Film Competition

First Prize goes to “Brothers” by Adil El Arabi & Bilall Fallah from Belgium/Morocco.

Second Prize goes to “Little King” by Socrates Alafouzos from Greece

Third Prize goes to “Dura Lex” by Anke Blondé from Belgium.
The Jury Prize goes to:
“The Will” by Allal El Alaoui from Morocco
“Cold January” by Romany Saad from Egypt

The Documentary Film Competition

First Prize goes to “Dust. The Great Asbestos Trial” by Niccolò Bruna and Andrea Pranstraller from Italy, Belgium and Switzerland.
Second Prize goes to “Katka” by Helena Trestikova from the Czech Republic
Third Prize goes to “Happiness…promised land” by Laurent Hasse from France.
Jury Prize goes to:
“Cultures of Resistance” by Lara Lee from Congo, Palestine, Iran, Nigeria, Burma, Colombia, Rwanda, Syria, Liberia, Lebanon, Brazil, USA.
“Italy: Love it or Leave it” by Luca Ragazzi& Gustav Hofer from Italy/Germany.
“Face the Wall” by Stefan Weinert by Germany/Luxembourg.

The Human Image Competition

First Prize goes to “The well – Water Voices from Ethiopia” by Paolo Barberi and Riccardo Russo from Italy

Second Prize goes to “The virgin, the copts and me” by Namir Abdel Messeeh from France.

Third Prize goes to “Foreign” by Miriam Fassbender from Germany.

Jury Prize goes to:

“Other Europe” by Rosella Schillaci from Italy.
“Five stars existence” by Sonja Lindén from Sweden/Finland.

Arab Women Filmmakers Competition

First Prize goes to “The Road to Paradise” by Uda Benyamina from Morocco/France.

Second Prize goes to “Dawn” by Nadine Salib from Egypt.

Third Prize goes to “Beiroot” by Chloé Mazlo from Lebanon/France

Jury Prize goes to: “The Last Hour” by Roua Nazar Alazzawi from Iraq.


Jury Prize for best Actor goes to: Nada Aboud for her performance in “Teta” by Merva Faddoul from Lebanon.


New Horizons Film Competition (Iraqi Filmmakers)
First Prize goes to: “Another Side” by Bqir Jassim Alrubaie.

Second Prize goes to: “Thesis” by Ather Abdulhusien.

Third Prize goes to: “A wish” by Mazin Munthir.

Jury Prize goes to:
“Bicycle” by Razgar Husien.
“Grill” by Sarbast Redha.

Prize for Best Director goes to: “Side Effect” by Hassan Quasim.

Prize for Best Scenario goes to: “Interview” directed by Asaad Al Hilaly.

Prize for Best Cinematography goes to: The Pomegranate blood” by Owat Othman.

Prize of Appreciation goes to:
“The Human” by Mashella Muhammadi.
“Girl” by Binz Shekhany.
“Allies behind our house” by Shelen Saady.






Biff 2012 Jury Decision English


Allal El Alaoui
il y a 18 heures · 
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