Movies to watch before you come to Morocco

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Now, before you come, I have a list of 10 movies to help you understand the role of Women and the social pressures in Arab countries. I hope this list will also inspire you to be the architect of your own life authentically and unapologetically.

To a world where women cooperate and support each other!

1.Razzia - 2017

Morocco, from the past to the present. Five people are connected – Abdallah, Salima, Joe, Hakim, and Inès – without realizing it. Different faces, different struggles, but one same breath. Directed by Nabil Ayouch, this film interweaves multiple stories set in contemporary Morocco, including the struggles and aspirations of women from different backgrounds.

2. Papicha - 2019

In Algiers in 1997, terrorists wanting an archaic Islamic state were everywhere. They oppress women, determined to control their bodies, clothing, and public space. The student Nedjma is passionate about creating a fashion show that will shock everyone.

3. Rock the Casbah - 2013

This is a bittersweet comedy that plays out around a funeral. Over the three days of mourning called for by Moroccan tradition, the family gathers in the deceased's villa to look back on their memories and share the loss of the dearly departed father and husband. But sparks fly when youngest daughter Sofia arrives back from her new home in LA.

4. Adam - 2021

Myriam Touzani’s Adam was surrounded by Oscar buzz upon its release in 2019, and for good reason. The film tells the story of Samia, a young woman who finds herself pregnant out of wedlock and is taken in by a widow in a Moroccan village.

5. Wadjda - 2012

Directed by the first female filmmaker in Saudi Arabia, Wadja focuses on an enterprising Saudi girl who signs up for her school's Koran recitation competition as a way to raise the remaining funds she needs in order to buy the green bicycle that has captured her interest.

6. Incendies - 2010

This is probably one of my favourite Arab films, but let me warn you: it's not for the light-hearted. Directed by Denis Villeneuve, this Canadian film, set in an unnamed Middle Eastern country, delves into the lives of Arab women within the context of war and familial secrets.

7. Where Do We Go Now? - 2011

Also directed by Nadine Labaki, this Lebanese film follows a group of women in a village striving to prevent sectarian violence, blending drama, comedy, and music.

8. Mimosas - 2016

This Spanish-Moroccan film directed by Oliver Laxe is a mystical drama set in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco.

9. The Unknown Saint - 2019

A Moroccan comedy-drama directed by Alaa Eddine Aljem, this film follows a thief who returns to retrieve stolen money buried near a remote shrine.

10. Caramel - 2007

Directed by Nadine Labaki, a Lebanese filmmaker, this film is set in a beauty salon in Beirut and follows the lives of several women dealing with love, friendship, and societal expectations. It offers a nuanced portrayal of women's relationships and struggles in contemporary Lebanon.

What was the Arab movie that inspired you the most? Let me also know your movie suggestions.

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