“Sheikha” is linked to the resistance… and I reject self-censorship in cinema

Moroccan director Nabil Ayouch said that a feeling of dread still accompanies him whenever he arrives at the Cannes International Film Festival, despite the fact that he has accumulated numerous and numerous participations in the international film festival.

Ayouch, who was speaking on the FBM confrontation program prepared and presented by critic and media personality Bilal Mermaid, and broadcast on the “Medi 1 TV” channel, added that “the Cannes premières category is a prestigious category that has prestige, even though it is not a competition,” stressing that the films in this category are open. To the wide audience, stressing that this category included films and big names this year.

The Moroccan director explained that unlike all of his previous films, which revolved around multiple characters, the movie “In Love with Toda” revolves around one character “Toda,” whose role was played by Nisreen Radi, indicating that he did not do casting and chose Nisreen to perform this role. Since the beginning.

He stated that his film aims to restore respect to the Sheikha, who played a major role during the period of protection. By highlighting her plight and her resistance to the inhumane conditions surrounding her work and movements, and revealing her daily life, which is not as happy as one might think, but full of violence and rape for the sake of the passion to live.

In response to the question: Is the version of the film “In Love Toda” that was shown at the Cannes Festival the one that the Moroccan audience will see in Moroccan cinema halls, or will a montage be done? The “Confrontation Program Guest” refused to delete scenes or clips, stressing that the matter is related to cinema and the audience. Freedom to watch it, unlike television, stating that the matter falls within the framework of freedom of expression guaranteed to everyone.

Guest Bilal Mermaid recalled the scarcity of historical documents regarding the art of Al-Aita, highlighting that the time space that the film allocates to the Sheikha is not enough, stressing that its first beginnings were with the support of the Film Center and that the result it has reached today is the product and fruit of years of work and diligence.

Commenting on the nature of his relationship with the Film Center, Ayyoush said that things are normal and the atmosphere is clear after clarifying his views regarding some problems in the field, he said.