The Mosque (A Jamaa)
Arab Film Competition
Daoud Aoulad-Syad / Feature Narrative / Morocco, France / 2010 / 85 min / Color / 35 mm
In Arabic, Berber / English, Arabic subtitles
Interests: Drama, Religion, Social Issues
Middle East Premiere
Rated: General Audiences. Suitable for ages 4 and up.
Synopsis
Director Daoud Aoulad-Syad's previous film, "Waiting for Pasolini," literally has just wrapped in a small Moroccan village and, although the village's citizens have destroyed all the other sets, the film's faux mosque remains intact. At first, this seems fairly fortuitous for the town since it has become a local place of worship and a draw for tourism. However, it is bad news for Moha (Abdelhadi Touhrach), one of the film's extras who farmed the land to feed his family before renting it to the producers. Frustrated by conflicting opinions and misunderstandings, yet not about to back down, Moha goes on a mission to find someone to see the situation his way . Director Aoulad-Syad plays wonderfully with the concept of a film inside a film, and constructs a humorous but insightful look at movie-making, politics and religion.
About the Directors
Daoud Aoulad-Syad
Born in 1953 in Marrakech, Morocco, Aoulad-Syad has directed such films as "Bye-Bye Sourity," "The Wind Horse," and "Tarfaya," among others. His 2007 Moroccan comedy "Waiting For Pasolini" won the prize for Best Arabic Film at the Cairo International Film Festival, and serves as the prelude for his latest effort, "The Mosque."
Credits
- Director
- Daoud Aoulad-Syad
- Screenwriter
- Daoud Aoulad-Syad
- Producer
- Cecile Rubrecht
- Director of Photography
- Thierry Lebigre
- Music
- Le groupe Aquallal/Zagora
- Cast
- Abdelhadi Touhrach, Bouchra Hraich, Mustapha Tahtah, Naceur Oujri, Salem Dabella