Nabil Ayouch began filming his new film Positive School in Casablanca on July 16th.
Ayouch was “the discovery” of the 1999 Berlinale Forum with his first feature, Mektoub. Two years later the Franco-Moroccan film-maker won several awards for Ali Zaoua, prince de la rue. Two of his films have been shown at Cannes: Les cheveaux de Dieu and Much Loved.
After his seventh feature, Razzia, was released last February, Nabil Ayouch became interested in the world of hip hop and rap. Positive School is set in the cultural centre founded by Ayouch in Casablanca, “Les étoiles de Sidi Moumen” – located in the shanty-town of the same name on the outskirts of the city. The film uses non-professional actors, including former rapper Anas who helps children express themselves through hip hop dance and rap.
Ayouch grew up in Sarcelles, a northern suburb of Paris, and used the Maison des Jeunes et de la Culture there as inspiration for his film’s setting. He calls his film “a hip hop musical comedy”, adding that “the way we film the dancing, the bodies and the speech will be basically naturalistic.” Filming will end in January 2019. The film is produced by Ali N’ Productions (Morocco) and Les films du Nouveau Monde (France).
Sources: Cineuropa, Huffpostmaghreb
