Marock

Marock is the 2005 Moroccan film by the female Muslim director Laila Marrakchi. The movie was very controversial as it deals with a Muslim/Jewish love between two high school mates, Rita and Youri. The film was 2006's most successful film in Morocco, scoring more than 3 million dirhams at the Moroccan box-office, according to TelQuel.

The film was shown in Moroccan cinemas without being edited or censored. The title Marock is a play on words based on the French name of Morocco Maroc and Rock as in Rock'n Roll.

Plot

Marock is the story of a 17 year old Moroccan girl, Rita, who falls in love with Youri, a Jewish boy. Rita, just like her boyfriend, is part of the Moroccan upper social class, and comes from a very liberal, non-religious family; although only as liberal as Moroccan culture and social norms allows one to be. Although religion is not a social barrier in the daily interaction of Jews and Muslims (the movie shows close friendships between both groups), it becomes a barrier and a taboo when it comes to dating between both religions.

The movie clearly depicts the social criticisms that arise from both parties as a result of this situation. Laila Marrakchi's movie successfully points out all the unexpressed and taboo aspects of the Moroccan high class society, portraying the everyday life of these teenagers, that is depicted with a surprisingly incredible accuracy, both on the Jewish and Muslim side.

Controversy in Morocco about the film

• Acclaimed Moroccan director Mohamed Asli said "Marock" did not deserve inclusion in the festivals because it was "not a real Moroccan film," although he subsequently told a magazine that he welcomed the public release because it would open debate. Some critics claimed to detect sinister Zionist propaganda in the depicted Jewish-Muslim romance.
• The Justice and Development Party, Morocco's increasingly popular Islamist political party, has led the charge against "Marock," claiming that it breaks a Moroccan law forbidding offense to Islam. The party plans to press the government on whether it has fully upheld the law.

References

External links

• Internet movie database
• Web site

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Last updated on Saturday December 08, 2007 at 17:05:55 PST (GMT -0800)
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