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Research Paper | Cinema and Movies | Morocco | Volume 11 Issue 2, February 2022

Openness to Taboo Themes in the Moroccan Cinema: "La source Des Femmes" as an Example

Laabidi Abdelfattah

Abstract: Since its beginnings the Moroccan cinema has benefited a lot from colonial cinema in terms of techniques, training of film makers and actors and also in terms of production. This effect can be clearly measured in the first entirely shot film in Morocco "Mektooub" in the 1920s. Also the impact of colonial cinema can be viewed through some themes the Moroccan films nowadays treat and which have been considered to be taboos by society such us sexuality. For instance, the country's top selling film during 2014 "Behind Closed Doors," and which mainly tackles the problem of sexual harassment is directed by Mohammed AhedBensouda, who previously worked as assistant director for Martin Scorsese, Ridley Scott, Claude Lelouch and Giuseppe Tornatore. The current study investigates the openness to taboo themes in the Moroccan cinema through analyzing one of the most famous films in contemporary Moroccan film industry which is "La source Des Femmes". Data for the present study are gathered and analyzed using text analysis through analyzing incidents, characters, and behaviours of characters in the aforementioned film. The findings of the study indicate that the Moroccan cinema has gained a lot from the colonial cinema, not only in terms of techniques and skills but also in terms of tools and infrastructure. More than that, the influence can be measured through the emergence of new themes in the Moroccan cinema that were considered to be taboos for the Moroccan audience like sexuality, religion, and politics.

Keywords: Moroccan Cinema, Taboo theme, Openness, Sexuality, Religion, Politics

Edition: Volume 11 Issue 2, February 2022,

Pages: 466 - 468