Before the Dying of the Light
Documentary, director: Ali Essafi, Morocco 2020, 70 min., Arab./Fr. with En. ST
24.4.2022 | 19.30 | Silent Green |
1961, King Hassan II ascends the throne of Morocco and stays in power for the next four decades, initiating a reign of repression. Opposition figures are persecuted and often forced into exile. Artists have to struggle with censorship. The once flourishing cultural scene suffers from strong restrictions and prohibition. Political opponents are imprisoned, tortured, and some disappear altogether. Many fates remain unclear to this day. In his documentary, Ali Essafi interweaves archive material with interviews with actors from the Moroccan film and cultural scene of the 1970s. The combination of posters, drawings, photos and film clips, accompanied by Chaabi and Jazz music creates a dense tapestry of impressions that gives viewers an insight into the difficult living and working conditions of the time.