Photo : DR
Cour(t)s en liberté | Screening of 4 short films
Discover the vibrant soul of Morocco through a curated selection of four compelling short films. From age-old tribal wedding rites and the hidden art of traditional beauty to modern-day relationship crossroads, this screening offers a captivating lens into life across the Mediterranean.
L'Institut du Monde Arabe (Paris 5th)
About
The Institut du Monde Arabe hosts an evening of four short films on Thursday, November 5, 2026, focusing on Moroccan traditions and societal shifts. Running from 20:30 to 21:30, the screening features works by Anissa Allali and Izza Génini, highlighting themes such as wedding rituals and the role of the neggaffa. This event is open to audiences aged 18 and over, and the venue is fully wheelchair accessible. Tickets are priced between 3 and 5 euros, offering a unique opportunity to explore these cultural narratives in the heart of the 5th arrondissement.
In Morocco, a "white marriage" (sham marriage) is a fake marriage between a Moroccan and a European to obtain a residence permit and citizenship in a European country.
Ya Benti
by Anissa Allali
Sabrina is about to marry Younès, a marriage that means everything to her mother and grandmother. But on the eve of this commitment, Sabrina pulls back.
Nuptials in the Middle Atlas - Tunes in Berber land - Part 2
by Izza Génini
In the Middle Atlas, around Khenifra, the Zayane and Ichker tribes gather for the performance of the mythical wedding of Asli and Taslit, the Groom and the Bride. Symbols of the vital forces of vegetation, they embody all the hopes of fertility and fecundity that the community sings and dances to, in the Awache, in front of the immense Berber tents.
For the pleasure of the eyes
by Izza Génini
In Morocco, the art and manner of beautification rest essentially in the hands of a woman called in the north of the country "ziyanna" (the beautifier), everywhere else: "neggaffa". A central character in the life of Moroccan women, the "neggaffa" accompanies all beauty rituals. Hajja Khadifa, mistress of the "neggaffates" of Casablanca and her aunt Fanida tell us a part of their knowledge.
Biography:
After studying at the School of Oriental Languages, Izza Génini was responsible for external relations for the Tours and Annecy film festivals, then managed the private screening room, Club 70.
Starting in 1973, she specialized in documentaries devoted to aspects of Moroccan culture and society. She directed the series Morocco, Body and Soul.
Izza Génini
Our take on this event
The screening event, Cour(t)s en liberté, presents a selection of four short films that delve into various facets of Moroccan life. Through both documentary and fiction, the program examines the social pressures of marriage, the vibrancy of Berber ceremonies, and the intricate beauty rituals performed by the neggaffates.
The event takes place on November 5, 2026, from 20:30 to 21:30 at the Institut du Monde Arabe. Featured works include Ya Benti, which follows a young woman contemplating a life-changing engagement, and two films by Izza Génini, Nuptiales en Moyen Atlas and Pour le plaisir des yeux, which document ancestral wedding traditions and the expertise of Moroccan beauty specialists. Another short film addresses the complexities of 'white marriages' involving European partners.
Participation is restricted to attendees aged 18 and older. Tickets cost between 3 and 5 euros. The venue is accessible for wheelchair users. This selection provides an insightful look into the cultural heritage and contemporary challenges depicted by directors Anissa Allali and Izza Génini.
