Traditionally, the region we call ours has hailed both Egypt and Lebanon as unanimous capitals of cinema, dictating the most popular trends for many decades throughout their respective Golden Ages. As time went by, and with the advent of globalization, neighboring nations also started developing their own audiovisual endeavors in the silver screen industry, making the entire scene, assumably richer than it ever was.
Now being able to boast just as many scenes as you have countries in the Middle East and North Africa, each country can now proudly showcase productions of their own, many of which have reached the highest spheres of the industry, collecting awards and accolades that shine a global spotlight on the remarkable talent and storytelling from our vibrant microcosmic world.
In celebration of Arab cinema, we decided to kickstart a new series where we delve into a handful of the can’t-miss titles to watch from each state from our side of the world— and there’s probably no better place to start with than the furthest Western point of our region, namely Morocco.
Below, 20 Moroccan movies to keep on your to watch-list for your next Netflix and chill session.
Casanegra (2008)
Director: Nour-Eddine Lakhmari
IMBD Synopsis: “Two childhood friends, Karim and Adil, prowl the streets of Casablanca, their native city. They do not do much, in fact they hustle rather than work. They are also unashamed dreamers, Karim believing in his “love story” with Nabila, a rich girl, and Adil contemplating emigrating to Sweden but never taking action. One day, the two friends go onto top gear by getting themselves into a big caper…”
Much Loved (2015)
Director: Nabil Ayouch
IMBD Synopsis: “A group of women in Morocco make a living as prostitutes in a culture that is very unforgiving toward women in that profession.”
A Love Affair in Casablanca (1991)
Director: Abdelkader Lagtaa
IMBD Synopsis: “The story takes place in Casablanca and talks about a young woman called Saloua who tries to challenge Moroccan traditions and who is caught between two men: an older lover and a young photographer.”
Trances (1981)
Director: Ahmed El Maanouni
IMBD Synopsis: “The very popular Moroccan group Nass-El Ghiwane are filmed, in performances, meetings, interviews, and collaborations with other musicians.”
Ali Zaoua: Prince of the Streets (2000)
Director: Nabil Ayouch
IMBD Synopsis: “A group of children living on the street leave their gang, prompting retribution from the gang’s leader. After one of the children dies, the rest try to come up with the resources to give their friend a proper burial.”
Les Anges de Satan (2007)
Director: Ahmed Boulane
IMBD Synopsis: “Casablanca, 2003. 14 young hard-rockers are arrested and condemned for sentences from 3 months to 1 year. What are the accusations? Satanism and shaking the foundations of Islam. Based on actual events.”
Les Cœurs brûlés (2007)
Director: Ahmed El Maanouni
IMBD Synopsis: “Amin, a young architect who lives in Paris, returns in hurry to Fès to visit his dying uncle. He has not spoken, since he left his hometown ten years ago, to the man who raised him.The visits to the hospital revive the hidden sorrows of the past. His old friend, Aziz, urges him to forget the past and any idea of revenge. Amin meets the audacious and joyful Hourya, their beginning love story soon ends. The death of his uncle does not soothe his torments and the young man must find in himself his own answers.”
‘Death for Sale’ (2011)
Director: Faouzi Bensaïdi
IMBD Synopsis: “In Tetouan, at the northern edge of Morocco, three young men decide to rob a jewelry store. The heist goes awry, and their destinies part drastically.”
‘The Miscreants’ (2013)
Director: Mohcine Besri
IMBD Synopsis: “On the order of their spiritual leader, three young Islamists kidnap a group of actors who are about to go on tour with their latest show. When the kidnappers arrive at the place of detention, they find themselves cut off from their base. Ensues a 7-day no exit situation, in which both sides are forced to live together, confront each other and challenge their mutual prejudices.”
‘They Are the Dogs’ (2013)
Director: Hicham Lasri
IMDB Synopsis: “After 20 years spent in jail, a political prisoner is released in the midst of the Arab Spring. A TV crew doing a report on the social movements in Morocco decides to follow him in the quest of his past”
‘Burnout’ (2017)
Director: Nour-Eddine Lakhmari
IMDB Synopsis: “The young Ayoub is a poor shoe shiner with a dream. Jad loves fast cars and continuous silence, but his wife is unhappy. Aida is studying medicine and working as a prostitute. Their lives intersect even though they follow their own journey.”
‘Headbang Lullaby’ (2017)
Director: Hicham Lasri
IMDB Synopsis: “Casablanca, June 11, 1986 – the day of the World Cup. After yet another blunder, embittered cop Daoud is sent by his dissatisfied superiors to spend the day on a bridge between two warring neighbourhoods in order to protect the hypothetical passage of a royal procession.”
‘Volubilis’ (2017)
Director: Faouzi Bensaïdi
IMDB Synopsis: “Abdelkader is a watchman and Malika is a house maid. They were just married and are madly in love. Despite money problems, they dream of moving in and starting their love life together. One day Abdelkader is going to live an incident of great violence, a humiliating experience that will ruin their destiny.”
‘Tazzeka’ (2018)
Director: Jean-Philippe Gaud
IMBD Synopsis: “Growing up in the Moroccan village of Tazzeka, Elias learned the secrets of traditional Moroccan cuisine from his grandmother who raised him. Years later, meeting a top Paris chef and a young woman named Salma inspires him to leave home.”
‘Adam’ (2019)
Director: Maryam Touzani
IMDB Synopsis: “Abla runs a modest local bakery from her home in Casablanca where she lives alone with her 8-year-old daughter, Warda. When Samia, a young pregnant woman, knocks on their door, Abla is far from imagining that her life will change forever.”
‘The Unknown Saint’ (2019)
Director: Alaa Eddine Aljem
IMDB Synopsis: “A criminal returns to the fake grave where he buried his loot years before and discovers that it has become the shrine of an unknown saint and a thriving little village.”
‘Mica’ (2020)
Director: Ismaël Ferroukhi
IMDB Synopsis: “Mica, a boy from the slums of Morocco, begins working at an upscale tennis club. Through his interactions with the upper class, he strives to escape poverty, facing obstacles of social hierarchy and inequality.”
‘Oliver Black’ (2020)
Director: Tawfik Baba
IMDB Synopsis: “A young African boy, Vendredi, embarks on a dangerous journey across the Moroccan desert. Along the way, he forms a unique bond with Oliver, a foreigner, as they navigate survival together.”
‘Zanka Contact’ (2021)
Director: Ismaël El Iraki
IMDB Synopsis: “In the chaotic streets of Casablanca, a former rock star, Larsen, meets Rajae, a streetwise woman. United by trauma and music, they face a dangerous world filled with corrupt cops and criminals as they try to escape their grim reality.”
‘The Blue Caftan’ (2022)
Director: Maryam Touzani
IMDB Synopsis: “A traditional Moroccan caftan tailor and his wife share a deep bond. However, secrets surrounding their personal lives gradually unravel in their small shop, revealing the complexities of love and tradition.”
