Marock

I saw this movie in Casablanca (actually in Ain Diab where the movie was set) and found myself some what disappointed. Perhaps I had expected the film to focus a bit more on the religious/romantic conflict itself but it just seemed more determined to show how wealthy and privileged the characters lives are than the emotions they had to deal with regarding their parents disapproval. The Dad had about 5 minutes of screen time to yell at his daughter and seemed to forget about the whole thing right away. Oh well. As far as conflicts go, it doesn't make sense to portray a Muslim parent's concern about his daughter's relationship with a Jew as backwards and old-fashioned. Many liberal American parents would have the same kind of concerns. Other than that the movie was well filmed and had a good soundtrack. I actually had the opportunity to meet some people like the characters in the film and yes, cruising in ultra expensive cars is a popular activity when the clubs are cold.

This movie was definetly an experience. The scenery and music were amazing and as a moroccan who left my country at young age, this movie brought a unexplainable warmth and nostalgia. As for the plot, it was okay, the movie itself is predictable, but so is every teenager movie from the early 2000s which is, for some (me included), enjoyable. This isn't a complex type of movie but more of a feel good type of movie. I'm not giving this a higher rating because i just wish they developped the protaganist's relationship which could get us eventually more attached to the characters. What makes this movie good is the scenery and the athmospere around it. Would recommand to someone as a comfort movie.

Some may call the movie a cheap paperback romance, but I find it emotional, true, beautiful - with real young people (not bored actors), real life and not some artificial Hollywood scene, with excellent soundtrack, and, even more, deep and meaningful. It's just like remembering my teenager years... While watching this movie I realized that it's so hard to be free, that you won't understand and find freedom unless there are boundaries to fight against. That most people grown up in welfare states even do not realize that they are held captive by their own laziness and will never understand freedom. Marock also expresses to me that innocence is the only real value in life, so - sooner or later - every good thing has to be paid only with it. It would be interesting to find out that the Director also had this idea in her mind when shooting 'Marock' or it's just my interpretation ... anyway, I feel free to see it in my way. Finally: only a few movie makers are able to express the great true but no common sense, and Laïla Marrakchi perfectly does it.

I first discovered this movie at age 17, since I never could take it out of my mind. An amazing portrayal of the other side of morocco that was only brought to the general population knowledge lately thanks to social media.

With an exaggeration that was just enough to actually convey feelings without inflating the reality of how things go, both the acting and directing was very on point.

Nothing is perfect for sure, but I would confidently say this is the closest a 2003 movie could get to perfection.

I'm (actively) making sure to showcase this marvel to every close friend i have in my life or crosses my path.