The 2nd Annual Moroccan Film Festival is gearing up to make a splash at New York’s TriBeca Cinemas this November 18th and 19th. Tickets are officially on sale at the box office so don’t miss your chance to attend the opening night gala and reception following the screening of Selma Bergach’s, La 5eme Corde.
The following day, choose from a variety of Moroccan films to see, such as Ali Zaoua, Mektoub, Shikhates Blues, or Amores Voilées.
This photograph, taken by Fes’s Omar Chennafi will be in the art auction that will take place opening night at the 2nd annual Moroccan Film Festival in New York.
Originally, the date of the festival, to be held at Tribeca Cinemas was slated for the end of the month however the event has been postponed and the new dates for the festival are November 18th and 19th. So save the date, and see you there!
Where: Arab American Family Support Center’s Brooklyn, NY location (150 Court St. Subway: 2,3,4,5, N, R to Borough Hall)
When: Thursday, August 18th, 7:00pm
Price: Free, come one, come all
About: The beautifully shot, hypnotically-paced Tarfaya focuses on the torment of North African immigrants trying to slip into Europe. Miriam (Touria Alaoui) arrives in Tarfaya looking for the smuggler who is supposed to ferry her to Spain. But those seeking clandestine passage are always vulnerable, and everyone she meets seems duplicitous and deceitful. What little money she has is stolen, and help from the police chief (Mohamed Majd) comes at its own price. Miriam is courted by Hassan (Mohamed Bastaoui), but blinded by the mirage of a better life on The Continent,” she spurns him. Like all those seeking safe passage, she will have to learn that much more than an expanse of water separates the Moroccan sea port from Europe.
I am so impressed by this beautiful stop-motion-ish montage of stunning photographs from Morocco and Spain. Props, or chapeau to Mike for the vision behind this project!
Morocco and Spain by Mike Matas
‘Take Me Away’ by Assia Lakhlif is one of the short films that will be shown at the NY Arab and South Asian Short Video Slam
Every summer, Rabiah and her daughters leave Belgium to visit their home city of Taza, Morocco. When the eldest gets engaged to her crush, they must travel to his village for the celebration. On the trip to the wedding, a mother strives to fulfill her duties while a daughter absorbed in the bride allure, finds herself on the path to becoming a woman. The three women set on a journey that will evoke and test their complex dreams.
Born in Casablanca, Assia Lakhlif grew up in Morocco and New York. She is a writer and director with a background in visual arts, painting and photography. She studied Art at The Cooper Union receiving her BFA in 2005. She went on to study film and completed her graduate studies at The California Institute of the Arts in Los Angeles earning her Masters in film and video in 2008. Her work and films have been shown at Newfilmmakers LA, West Hollywood, Cannes, Future Shorts, Art Dubai, LACMA and The Jordan Short Festival, among others.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Free & Open to the Public • Doors Open 6:30pm, begins at 7:00pm
Alwan for the Arts (16 Beaver Street, 4th Floor, between Broad and Broadway)
We will present the best in recent short videos that were submitted to an open call, that increase awareness of the creative vitality and sociopolitical realities of North Africa, the Middle East, Iran, South Asia, and their diasporas.
