#moroccan cinema

[folditdouble]

Women in Film Challenge 2024: [59/52] Adam, dir. Maryam Touzani (Morocco/France/Belgium/Qatar, 2019)

Death does not belong to women. Few things really belong to us.

[gregor-samsung]

Adam (Maryam Touzani - 2019)

[oldtvandcomics]

Happy Queer Media Monday!

Today: The Blue Caftan (2022)

A very recent movie, so if you are lucky, you might still catch it in a cinema. (Time stamp: March 2023)

(From left to right: Youssef, Mina and Halim, eating together.)

The Blue Caftan is telling the story of a married couple who run a traditional tailor shop in Morocco. The husband, Halim, is gay. At the beginning of the movie, he starts to make a blue caftan for a rich client. Over the time it takes for him to finish, we get to watch the developing feelings between him and his young apprentice, Youssef, as well as the progression of the wife’s, Mina’s, terminal breast cancer.

While the summary does sound a little bleak, this movie is so full of love and tenderness, it seriously softens the pain to something beautiful. While it is made very clear through the acting that Halim is not sexually attracted to his wife, his and Mina’s relationship is very deep and loving. Mina does show some animosity towards Youssef at the beginning, but as her illness progresses, she comes to accept and even appreciate him, so it really is three people who care deeply about one another up against Life. There is also a lot of nonsexual intimacy going on, mostly between Halim and Mina, but also between Halim and Youssef. All in all, it is a very soft, tender movie, that still deals with some very heavy topics.

The Blue Caftan premiered 2022 in Cannes, won multiple prizes at film festivals, and is Morocco’s official submission at the 2023 Oscars shortlist in the "International Feature Film" category. 

I can’t really link much about it, but here is the IMBD page.

Queer Media Monday is an action I started to talk about some important and/or interesting parts of our queer heritage, that people, especially young people who are only just beginning to discover the wealth of stories out there, should be aware of. Please feel free to join in on the fun and make your own posts about things you personally find important!

[saintlupin]

ty for the tag @faggylittleleatherboy

rules: answer & tag ppl u want to connect w and get to know better

fav color: recently changed from lilac to red

last song: I Wanna Be Adored by The Stone Roses

last film: Spirited Away (at the cinema!) as a part of Studio Ghibli fest

currently reading: Sylvia Plath's The Bell Jar

currently watching: Sex and the City

currently craving: Moroccan mangoes & cookies n' cream ice cream (one of which is much more easily accessible than the other)

coffee or tea: i prefer sweet tea most days

no-pressure tagging: @odditystare, @welshremus, @crumbofmoon, @plecotusauritus, @lavenderhaze, @yesnoidkiguess, @spindrifters

[tilbageidanmark]

MOVIES I WATCHED THIS WEEK (#192):

TRANCES (1981) is an infectious documentary about the influential Moroccan avant-pop band 'Nass El Ghiwane'. It's like 'The last Waltz' but in Casablanca. A must for fans of traditional Arabic music.

This was the first film that Martin Scorsese restored when he launched his "World Cinema Foundation" in 2007. My 4th Moroccan film. A transcendental experience [with one caveat: They gave amazing concerts to large, ecstatic crowds - and not a single woman in the audience!] This is the 9th film from the Scorsese's list that I've seen. I must remember to come back to it very soon.

🍿

(Another concert, but of a completely different kind: Andrea Bochelli's LOVE IN PORTOFINO. This is for the folks who like to sit in the square by the water when the evening falls, dressed in white cottons, sip white wine while eating fried clams or seafood pizza, while listening to Bochelli's frothy, sentimental baritone.)

🍿

POOL OF LONDON (1951), my 5th drama-Noir from mostly-forgotten master Basil Dearden. Sailors on leave and a jewel heist, as well as a sensitive interracial romance, the first white and Jamaican relationship in British cinema. Crisp on-location scenes and good character development.

Next: His 'The League of Gentlemen'.

🍿

I've developed an interest in the emerging sub-genre of 'Domestic Workers’, mostly movies from South America and Southeast Asia. Many of these are fantastic; 'Àma Gloria', 'The second mother', 'Lina from Lima', 'Roma', 'The maid', 'Ilo Ilo', 'The chambermaid', Etc.

But I did not expect for the documentary YAYA (2018) to emerge as the most touching of this week's movies. A young filmmaker in Hong Kong, Justin Cheung, turned the camera on his own family, to explore their relationship with the woman who took care of him the first 22 years of his life.

Philippine Au-pairs in Hong Kong are some of the most exploited and abused workers in the world. And while his helper-maid was not mistreated, she gave up her own life to take care of somebody else's kids. Recommended! 8/10.

🍿

FELLINI X 2:

🍿 (I have no idea why I never seen this masterpiece.) LA STRADA (1954), is the sad and poignant story of simple-minded Giulietta Masina, who was sold to 'brutish strongman' Anthony Quinn for 10,000 lire. She's a mythic, Chaplinesque 'Fool' who's being abused and mistreated as she joins him traveling round the countryside in their little freak-show. Until she dies of a heartbreak. Its tragedy is accented by Nino Rosi's sentimental score. 8/10.

🍿 THE MAGIC HOUR (2008), my second screwball comedy [After 'Welcome back, Mr. McDonald'] by Kōki Mitani, "The Best Japanese Filmmaker You've Never Heard Of". A failed bit actor gets a job to play a mysterious hit man, not realizing that the movie he's starring in is going to be 'real'. It's a lighthearted meta-film about making a movie, not unlike 'Day for night', but set in some seaport gangster-land. It's like 'Casablanca' but with a Nino Rosi like score. Includes a cameo of director Kon Ichikawa, the last before his death.

🍿

3 MORE BY KEN LOACH:

🍿 THE OLD OAK, the latest (and probably his very last film) from the 88-year-old socialist Brit. A warm and 'humane' story full of small and heartfelt emotions, it kept me in tears from opening to the end. Ordinary people who suffer in so many ways. The inhabitants of a decaying ex-mining town can barely manage to hang on, and now they have to deal with a group of Syrian refugees - "Foreigners!" - who had lost it all in the war, and are being repatriated to their midst. Loach's films are usually about working-class Brits who's been getting the shaft for generations, and sometimes retain their humanity. And so is this one. 9/10.

🍿 “First they called you a terrorist, they they called you a hero”.

11′09″01 SEPTEMBER 11 is an anthology film from 2002. Eleven filmmakers contributed each a segment of 11 minutes and 9 seconds with different perspectives on the World Trade Center attacks. Some of the productions were better than others. Ken Loach had a Chilean exile in London write a letter to the families of the victims with the story of the Chilean September 11 attack of democracy (1973/CIA/Kissinger/Pinochet). In the Iranian segment, a teacher in a refugee camp was trying unsuccessfully to tell her young pupils about the attack. A poor boy in Burkina Faso imagined that he saw Osama bin Ladin in the market, and that he can use the $25M reward money to help his dying mom. Claude Lelouch told of a deaf French woman who sits next to the TV, but misses the news because she can't hear it. A Bosnian woman goes to the scheduled demonstration about the Srebrenica massacre. Etc. A mixed bag.

🍿 TIME TO GO is his 1989 documentary, pushing for British withdrawal from Northern Ireland. I actually don't know more than the average laymen about Irish history, so I need to take a reading course about the "Troubles" and what brought it.

🍿

Another first watch: TRAINSPOTTING (1996). There were half a dozen films which I avoided until now, because I felt, rightly or wrongly, that they are too distressing: 'Requiem for a dream', Lars von Trier's 'Melancholia' (actually, all his movies), 'Salò', 'Funny Games' (both versions), 'A Serbian film', 'Kids', Etc. But now that I crossed 'Come and see' off this list, I also took a stab at this disgusting Scottish Heroin-chic shite-storm. Now I can say that I saw it too.

Well, I like Kelly Macdonald, and didn't expect her debut in an under-aged sex scene... Another plus, an appropriate use for Lou Reed's 'A perfect day'.

🍿

TIME PIECE, a terrific experimental 9-minute short by Jim Hanson which was nominated for an Oscar in 1965. A rhythmic masterpiece: "Help!" 8/10.

Extra: ROBOT (1963), another prophetic Hanson short, precursor to 'HAL9000'. I'm sure that both these films will be mentioned in his new bio-pic.

🍿

2 EARLY FILMS BY LINDSAY ANDERSON:

🍿 THE WHITE BUS (1967) told of a a taciturn young woman without a name who takes a double-Decker bus tour in a city without a future to experience some bizarre scenes without any rhyme or reason. It includes some surrealistic flourishes (A sudden tableaux of 'Le Dejeuner sur l'Herbe', a fantasy about suicide, a long tour in the library where the pompous major keeps complaining about filthy books...). But what is the point of it all?

It was edited by Kevin Brownlow, and filmed by Miroslav Ondříček, But it will mostly be remembered as the film debut of one 30-year-old Anthony Hopkins, as a German Thespian reciting Brecht. 2/10.

🍿 O DREAMLAND (1953) is a macabre documentary short about a loud amusement park in Margate, Kent, and the multitudes of middle class patrons (and their many children) who visit it without much amusement in their eyes. It's melancholy and miserable and dour. 7/10. A fun Fair without the fun. (Screenshot Above).

🍿

"This guy is a one-man crime wave!"

FOR HEAVEN’S SAKE (1926), one of Harold Lloyd's most successful films. Including some great chase and slapstick gags.

🍿

The first time I saw DEREK DELGAUDIO's IN & OF ITSELF, I was blown away. The next 2 or 3 times I thought it was great. There's something that compelled me to return to this Magician-"Mentlist" installation piece again and again. But after 4 or 5 times, i realize what he's doing, and his shtick is not as polished as f. ex. Derren Brown's. Yes, he has a few numbers that looks fantastic (A random audience member picks a random letter from a pile, and opens it to read a personal letter from her dying father... The final sketch where he "knows" what secret cards did each and every member of the audience had picked), but for the rest, he's mostly manipulates us with shaggy anecdotes and tall tales of personal pains. And really, they are not as profound as he wants us to believe they are.

🍿

Hiroshi Teshigahara's HOKUSAI is a 1953 documentary about the woodblock artist, but a bit too old fashioned. I recently saw his 'The face of another', and should have watched 'Woman in the dunes' instead.

🍿

THE SUITCASE was episode 7 of 4th season of 'Mad Men', the exact middle of the series (46/92). I've seen it numerous times, and it's still one of the most emotionally gripping. Jon Hamm will never be as perfect as he was as Don Draper. And it's pretty amazing that he and Peggy Olsen never even kissed, let alone sleep together. 10/10. Re-watch ♻️. [*Female Director*]

🍿

"If there's one thing about me, it's repetition"...

My first by British comedian Steward Lee, his latest LIVE AT THE LOWRY came recommended by Hoots maguire, so here I am. Lee is a different kind of a stand-up: Dry, self-referential, erudite, and circular. His improvisations are jazzy. Recommended.

🍿

2 ALTERNATIVE-QUEER ANIMATIONS:

🍿 THE FINAL EXIT OF THE DISCIPLES OF ASCENSIA (2019) is a strange - and weird - story made by one young Jonni Peppers. It is done very much in the aesthetics, and spirit, of Don Hertzfeldt's 'World of Tomorrow', although it's far from being that coherent. A confused young woman joins an all-women UFO-cult, which, like the Heaven's Gate dudes, eventually "ascends". It doesn't really have a clear message, but it has quiet a few moments of beauty. Peppers is working with Victoria Vincent, whose film 'A dog that smokes weed' I've admired. The two songs she plays are very pretty. [*Female Director*]

🍿 HOW TO FIND LOVE IN AN UNBECOMING AGE, a first film by a young lesbian about hot dating today. Could become a series. 7/10. [*Female Director*]

🍿

3 MORE SHORTS BY FEMALE DIRECTORS:

🍿 3 MINUTOS (1999), a short Brazilian masterpiece. The phone rings in a kitchen, and the answering machine picks it up. A woman's voice is telling him that she decided to leave. Recommended. 9/10.

[This is actually the second film by Ana Luíza Azevedo I've seen. She co-directed 'Barbosa' with Jorge Furtado.]

🍿 LIKE TWENTY IMPOSSIBLES, my first by Palestinian Annemarie Jacir. A small Palestinian film crew is trying to cross a border checkpoint, and is subject to humiliating abuse by the Israeli soldiers. There were other films about the exact topic, the grinding brutality, the hopeless struggle just to stay human - "The cruelty is the point". And this was made in 2003, before the whole occupied territories turned into the big concentration camp it is today.

I promised myself that I will stop watching these traumatic films, and I will. But surprise! When the credits rolled, it appeared that this horrible true-to-life documentary was actually "Fiction"! The ugly film was so realistic, that it was a huge relief to discover it was "Only Art". 8/10.

🍿 THE INCREDIBLE THEFT OF CELINE'S BELOVED (2020), a cute French love letter to Wes Anderson. A 14 year old girl receives a surprise package in the mail. It's as if girl herself directed this story. 6/10. [*3 Female Directors*]

🍿

2 EARLY SHORTS BY RIAN JOHNSON:

🍿 I started watching his heist story 'The Brothers Bloom', but couldn't finish it. Maybe I'll do it next week. Meanwhile I tried -

In BEN BOYER AND THE PHENOMENOLOGY OF AUTOMOBILE MARKETING, the voice of Carl Jung approaches a guy taking a shit with an archetypal explanation through the air-filter vent. The topic? The subconscious meaning of car brand logos. Made for $99 in 2001. With Pink Floyd 'Atom Heart Mother' score.

🍿 In THE PSYCHOLOGY OF DREAM ANALYSIS (2003) a young woman dreams somebody else's dreams. A student film that feels like one. 2/10.

🍿

(ALL MY FILM REVIEWS - HERE).

[milfjagger]

Omg happy birthday ezra!!!!! I hope u have a lovely lovely day 🧡🧡🧡

thank you em 🫂🫂🫂 i am going out for a moroccan meal and then going to the cinema to see a rerelease of excalibur (1981)

[mchiti]

yeah when hakim takes the corner from that side... under the moroccan flag, the amazigh flag and the palestine flag. poetic cinema

[byneddiedingo]

Oedipus Rex (Pier Paolo Pasolini, 1967)

Cast: Franco Citti, Silvana Mangano, Alida Valli, Carmelo Bene, Julian Beck, Luciano Bartoli, Francesco Leonetti, Ahmed Belhachmi, Giovanni Ivan Scratuglia, Giandomenico Davoli, Ninetto Davoli. Screenplay: Pier Paolo Pasolini, based on a play by Sophocles. Cinematography: Giuseppe Ruzzolini. Production design: Luigi Scaccianoce. Costume design: Danilo Donati. Film editing: Nino Baragli.  

Pier Paolo Pasolini's Oedipus Rex is sometimes raw and rough-edged by the standards of mainstream cinema. The Technicolor camerawork is often very beautiful, with its astonishing images of the Moroccan desert and ancient buildings, but there are some bobbles in the hand-held camera sequences that move beyond shakycam into wobbly-out-of-focuscam. Franco Citti, who made his debut in the title role of  Pasolini's Accattone (1961) and appeared in many of his other films, is a bit out of his depth as Oedipus, but Silvana Mangano is an impressive-looking Jocasta, and Julian Beck is a suitably foreboding Tiresias. Pasolini's screenplay does justice to its Sophoclean origins as well as to the perdurable myth, although the frame story that begins in Italy during the Mussolini era, with the Fascist anthem "Giovinezza" on the soundtrack, and ends in Pasolini's present seems extraneous. But the truly astonishing contribution to the film was made by costume designer Danilo Donati, whose eerie designs, seemingly cobbled together from scrap metal, clay, and leaves and branches, don't belong to any particular era but have the right aura of primitive myth.  

[gregor-samsung]

Adam (Maryam Touzani - 2019)

[anissapierce]

I love low production value Moroccan movies i love low production value shit generally but ....w moroccan cinema n tv it means a lot.... Gimme me all the royalty free music I recognize from youtube videos

[news-buzz]

Sean Penn, David Cronenberg to Get 2024 Marrakech Film Festival Honors News Buzz

Sean Penn, Canadian writer-director David Cronenberg, and late Moroccan star Naïma Elmcherqui will be honoted at the 21st edition of the Marrakech International Film Festival in Morocco. Fest organizers, in unveiling the news on Wednesday, described them as “three great artists whose contributions and influence have had a significant impact on cinema for several decades.” For his homage, Penn…

[imdbma]

IMDB.MA

IMDB.ma is a valuable resource for Moroccan cinema enthusiasts and anyone interested in the Moroccan film industry. By offering detailed information about local movies, actors, directors, and film events, it serves as a comprehensive database that supports the growth and recognition of Moroccan cinema on a global stage. The site enhances accessibility to film-related content, promotes local talent, and helps foster a vibrant film community within Morocco. Overall, https://imdb.ma stands out as a key player in celebrating and advancing Moroccan film culture.

[marrakeshminibus]

Cultural Immersion: Festivals and Events You Can't-Miss in Marrakesh

Marrakesh, the vibrant heart of Morocco, is a city where the old and new coexist harmoniously. Its bustling souks, majestic palaces, and serene gardens are just the beginning of its charm. To truly understand Marrakesh, one must dive deep into its rich cultural tapestry, especially through its festivals and events. These celebrations offer a unique glimpse into the traditions, values, and spirit of the Moroccan people. Here are some of the must-experience festivals and events in Marrakesh that promise an unforgettable cultural immersion.

1. Marrakech Popular Arts Festival (Festival National des Arts Populaire’s)

One of the oldest festivals in Morocco, the Marrakech Popular Arts Festival is a vibrant celebration of traditional Moroccan music, dance, and folklore. Held annually in July, this festival brings together performers from all over the country to showcase their unique cultural expressions. The festival is a sensory delight with performances taking place in historic venues like the El Badi Palace and the Menara Gardens. Visitors can witness everything from Berber dances to Gnawa music, offering a deep dive into Morocco's diverse cultural heritage.

2. Marrakech International Film Festival

For film enthusiasts, the Marrakech International Film Festival is a highlight of the city's cultural calendar. Held every December, this festival attracts filmmakers, actors, and cinema lovers from around the world. With a focus on promoting Moroccan and African cinema, the festival features a diverse range of films, from indie productions to big-budget blockbusters. The red-carpet events, open-air screenings in Jemaa el-Fnaa, and panel discussions with industry experts make this a must-attend event for anyone interested in the art of filmmaking.

3. Imilchil Marriage Festival

Although not held in Marrakesh itself, the Imilchil Marriage Festival is a unique event that offers an unforgettable cultural experience. Taking place in the nearby Atlas Mountains, this festival is a mass wedding ceremony for the Berber tribes of the region. Legend has it that the festival originated from a tragic love story, and today it serves as a time for eligible men and women to find their partners. Visitors can witness traditional Berber music, dances, and rituals, providing a fascinating insight into the customs and traditions of the local people.

4. Ramadan and Eid Celebrations

Experiencing Ramadan in Marrakesh is a profound cultural immersion. During this holy month, the city's rhythm changes dramatically. The days are quiet and reflective, while the nights come alive with communal meals and gatherings. The breaking of the fast, known as Iftar, is a communal affair, often shared with friends and neighbors. Eid al-Fitr, the festival marking the end of Ramadan, is a joyous occasion with feasts, family gatherings, and special prayers. Participating in these celebrations offers a unique perspective on the religious and cultural fabric of Moroccan society.

5. Marrakech Biennale

The Marrakech Biennale is a contemporary art festival that has gained international acclaim. Held every two years, the event features a diverse array of visual arts, literature, film, and performance art from both Moroccan and international artists. The biennale transforms the city into a living canvas, with exhibitions and installations taking place in historic sites, public spaces, and galleries. This festival is a testament to Marrakesh's growing reputation as a hub for contemporary art and culture.

6. Yves Saint Laurent Museum and Jardin Majorelle Events

The Yves Saint Laurent Museum and the adjacent Jardin Majorelle are iconic cultural landmarks in Marrakesh. Throughout the year, these venues host a variety of events, including fashion shows, art exhibitions, and cultural workshops. The museum, dedicated to the life and work of the legendary fashion designer, offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of haute couture. The beautifully restored gardens provide a serene backdrop for many cultural activities, making them a must-visit for anyone interested in art and fashion.

Conclusion

Marrakesh is a city that thrives on its cultural diversity and rich traditions. Its festivals and events offer travelers a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the local culture, providing experiences that go beyond the usual tourist attractions. Whether you're swaying to traditional Berber music, marveling at contemporary art, or celebrating with the locals during Ramadan, Marrakesh's cultural calendar promises an unforgettable journey of discovery.

To make the most of your cultural exploration in Marrakesh, consider using Marrakesh Minibus for your travel needs. Their reliable and comfortable service ensures that you can navigate the city with ease, allowing you to focus on soaking in the vibrant cultural experiences that Marrakesh has to offer. So pack your bags, open your heart, and get ready to experience the magic of Marrakesh through its festivals and events.

Happy travels!

Credit:

Marrakesh Minibus

[world-cinema-research]

The Evolution of Melodrama Through the Lenses of Ali: Fear Eats the Soul, Ju Dou, Blue Velvet, and Magnolia

by Rachel Powers

The evolution of film has changed in its exploration of social class and gender dynamics through the lens of melodrama. From its early stages of exaggerated emotions and moral conflicts to more modern and stylized interpretations, melodrama has adapted to reflect changing societal norms. In this essay, we will explore how "Ali: Fear Eats the Soul," "Ju Dou," "Blue Velvet," and "Magnolia” portray this evolution. All four of these films span different cultural, offering insights into how melodrama as a genre has grown to focus more on the complexities of social hierarchy and gender roles. By analyzing portrayals of personal struggles and constraints, we can see how melodrama has evolved to become a means of exposing and challenging attitudes towards social class and gender in modern cinema.

First, we should define the term “melodrama.” Merriam-Webster defines melodrama as “a work (such as a movie or play) characterized by extravagant theatricality and by the predominance of plot and physical action over characterization.” Melodrama as a genre tends to portray exaggerated emotions and cover strong issues such as suffering and sacrifice, especially for women.

Ali: Fear Eats the Soul (1974), directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder, and Ju Dou (1990), directed by Zhang Yimou, portray melodrama through a realistic and understated lens.

In Ali: Fear Eats the Soul, Fassbinder portrays the unlikely romance of an elderly German woman named Emmi, and a younger Moroccan immigrant named Ali. The film takes place in 1970s Germany, and highlights the societal prejudices and mistreatment faced by marginalized individuals, particularly immigrants.

“Fassbinder borrows from Sirk the technique of framing shots so stringently that the characters seem fenced in, limited in the ways they can move. He’ll lock Emmi (Brigitte Mira) in the foreground and Ali (El Hedi Ben Salem) in the background in such a way that neither could move without leaving the frame, and make you aware of that: He’s saying visually that they are locked into the same space, without choices.” -Roger Ebert

Fassbinder’s use of camera angles highlights the emotional isolation of the characters through visually blocking them inside of the frame with doorways or creating exaggerated empty space around them. Ali: Fear Eats the Soul captures the harsh reality of racism, ageism, and societal acceptance.

Ali: Fear Eats the Soul was released just two years after the Munich Olympics Massacre. This event marked Germany's return to hosting the Olympics since the controversial 1936 Berlin Olympics, exploited by Adolf Hitler and used as “a platform for the propagation of Nazi ideology.” With the goal of redemption after Berlin, the Munich Olympics took a tragic turn when members of Black September took Israeli athletes hostage, leading to the deaths of 11 athletes, 5 attackers, and one German policeman.

Fassbinder was able to use cultural context to highlight racial tensions during the time, using melodrama techniques to tell this emotional story with subtle realism.

Ju Dou explores melodrama in rural China, where young Ju Dou is forced into a loveless marriage with an abusive dye factory owner. A secret love affair begins with her husband's nephew. The film highlights patriarchal oppression and societal constraints. Zhang Yimou's portrayal of domestic life and class struggles is vivid with its use of technicolor, capturing the characters' emotional turmoil and the harsh realities of their existence.

Anand A. Yang writes “Brilliantly filmed in vivid splashes of color, the dye factory and its products, richly hued fabrics, make for some spectacular shots. The striking colors also reflect the passion of the lovers, a passion depicted by the sensuality of their lovemaking. Supposedly, it was this intensity of sensuality and eroticism that led the Chinese government in the conservative atmosphere after the 1989 massacre to seek the film's withdrawal as China's official entry in the Academy Awards.”

The social commentary apparent in Ju Dou came into the world less than a year after the Tiananmen Square incident in 1989.  Student protests for social and political reform in China resulted in the government declaring martial law. The Chinese army killed hundreds and wounded thousands of protestors in order to suppress their calls for democracy.

Ju Dou was banned in China for the first two years following its release, another example of censorship and control in China at the time.

Similarly to Ali: Fear Eats the Soul, the melodrama in Ju Dou balances realism with moments of strong emotion in this narrative of abuse, injustice, love, and betrayal.

Both Ali: Fear Eats the Soul and Ju Dou illustrate how melodrama can be portrayed through subtle storytelling and character development, emphasizing the personal and societal consequences of oppressive social norms. Both films exploration of forbidden love, prejudice, and resilience underscores melodrama's capacity to shine a light on complex human experiences with sensitivity and depth.

Melodrama has evolved over the years. Blue Velvet (1986), directed by David Lynch, and Magnolia (1999), directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, show growth and expansion from traditional melodrama through new stylized narrative techniques and complex storylines.

In Blue Velvet, Lynch explores America’s dark and surreal underbelly. He contrasts the idyllic setting of Lumberton with its hidden elements of violence and abuse.

As classmate Cris Nyne stated in his blog post, “Blue Velvet is a film noir murder mystery that is both polarizing and captivating. The film begins in almost a dream sequence from the heart of the American dream that churns into the dirt within the first two minutes of it’s opening.”

Like Ju Dou, Blue Velvet portrays abuse against women and patriarchal control.

“By turning our attention to the deleterious effects of misogynistic heteropatriarchal masculinity, the film makes clear the evil that such a paradigm of masculinity can perpetrate against women and how we might instead embrace a reformed feminist masculinity that values and cherishes women rather than abusing them.” – Nolan Boyd

At the time of this film, there were many fundraising events to help others in need. Billboard’s top song in 1986 was “That’s What Friends Are For” by Dionne Warwick & Friends (Elton John, Gladys Knight, and Stevie Wonder). It was released as a charity fundraising single for AIDS. Hands Across America, a fundraising event where people attempted to create a giant human chain across the entire country by holding hands, also occurred in 1986. These historical events show a light being shined on those less fortunate or suffering from stigmatized disease.

 Blue Velvet depicts its characters with strong emotional intensity. This exaggeration challenges conventional melodramatic boundaries, pushing the audience to confront elements lurking beneath the surface of what might seem picture-perfect.

Like Blue Velvet, Magnolia is a much more stylized melodrama. Magnolia exaggerates its narrative using a sprawling storyline that connects the lives of multiple characters in Los Angeles over the course of a single day.

The film continues to follow all of its main characters throughout their separate lives. The infamous frog scene is the event that each character experiences simultaneously, bringing the entire film together.  It is symbolic of a plague sent by a higher power, and impossible for any of the characters to ignore.

In 1999, the year that this film was released, Americans were also paying attention to a real life drama involving multiple characters and their interconnected lives. President Bill Clinton was impeached on December 19, 1998 for obstructing justice and lying under oath to a grand jury. These charges stemmed from an affair that he had with White House intern Monica Lewinsky. His impeachment trial took place during January and February of 1999, where he was ultimately acquitted of all charges.

Magnolia captures raw emotions and human interconnectedness through its many stories to its final shocking and surreal plague-like event. It explores themes like abuse, neglect, regret and forgiveness in relation to family. While Magnolia retains melodramatic elements such as familial conflict, suffering, and strong emotion, it is still realistic and reflects upon the complexity of contemporary society.

Both Blue Velvet and Magnolia demonstrate the evolution of melodrama into deeper and more stylized storytelling. Their complex storylines and editing techniques explore contemporary issues, pushing the boundaries of what melodramatic cinema can achieve.

These four films illustrate the evolution of melodrama across different cultural contexts and cinematic styles. From the understated realism in Ali: Fear Eats the Soul and Ju Dou's portrayals of societal oppression to Blue Velvet and Magnolia's stylized explorations of modern-day issues, each film uniquely demonstrates melodrama's ability to highlight the complexities of human experiences.

[travelena]

Morocco 🇲🇦 

Resurrecting this account to start documenting my trip itineraries & tips

Our Itinerary:

Day 1 - Tangier

We arrived in the evening and took a taxi to our apartment that we rented in the medina (in 2024 this taxt cost 200 MAD which was $20 USD). Our accommodation had a fantastic view and we could see Spain across the water! The inside of the place was gorgeous with so many beautiful details. We walked around the medina and made sure to stop in petit socco, grand socco, walked around the Kasbah, had a fantastic dinner at Chez Hassan (loved the fish mixed grill, the fresh juices & the moroccan cakes for dessert). Overall the dates, walnuts, fruits that we found being sold in small shops along the street near Grand Socco were the best quality and price out of all the cities we visited. I found the people of Tangier to be very kind and honest, not aggressive or pushy at all compared to other cities. Things don't get going until later in the morning around 11 AM but stay open until about 12:30 at night.

Things to do in Tangier: walk around the medina making sure to go to petit socco and grand socco (can relax at cinema rif and watch the square, look at the grand mosque), Grand Socco market & Berber market, Phoenecian Tombs (between cafe Hafa and Old Kasbah), Old Kasbah, Kasbah museum, American Legation Museum looks very beautiful and I wish I had been there during open hours, if summer or warm months then definitely consider the beach

Places to eat in Tangier: Chez Hassan (a highlight!, not fancy but so fresh and amazing), Cafe Hafa (great view of the sea and supposed to have nice tea), Palais Zahia Hotel has dinner with live music in a nice space that was the first bank in Morocco and also a nice rooftop, Le Sauver du Poisson (fancy fish), The Morocco Club (fancy), Restaurant Bachir

Day 2 - Fez

We took the train from Tangier to Fez which was easy (and cost $17, we had a really nice host for our apartment who drove us to the train station for 80MAD or $8USD), clean with good infrastructure and the trip gave us a great view of the countryside. Make sure to take the fast train with 1 transfer. We left in the morning since things take a while to open in the morning in Tangier. We arranged a taxi ride from the train station and a porter met the taxi to take our bags to the hotel since cars cannot enter the Medina to our Fez hotel through our accommodation (taxi was 100 MAD or $10USD but can likely get for less if negotiating with a taxi driver yourself at the station). Our hotel Riad Jardin des Biehn was really beautiful and owned by a French family and thus was one of few places to serve alcohol in the Medina. The whole center courtyard was filled with plants. Overall, this hotel was a feast for the eyes - there were interesting focal points to enjoy everywhere you looked. It was definitely on the pricey side relative to other Riads in the area but we really enjoyed the property and ended up spending a lot of time enjoying, also great service. We then walked around the medina however most shops and stalls were closed since it was Friday afternoon which is traditionally reserved for prayer and family time in Islam. However, there were some stalls open. We had lunch at The Ruined Garden where we had good lamb tagine and orange blossom date milk that I still think about. We ended up having a late dinner at Cafe Clock - a chain of restaurants in all major cities in Morocco that is also a cultural hub where they have live music every night around 7:30, they also host cooking classes and arts programs. The famous dish there is the camel burger which was pretty good. If you go to this location ask for table 22 on the roof for the best view of the nearby minaret.

Where to eat in Fez based on my research: Dar Hatim (best home cooked dishes), Dar Roumana, Restaurant Ouliya, The Ruined Garden (best for tapas), Darori Resto, Cafe Clock (camel burger, lemon tea, date milkshake), Made in M cafe in medina (orange blossom drink, couscous, tomato salad)

Day 3 - Fez

We got a half day guide on Viator to take us around the Medina and show us the main sights: Funduq al-Najjarin, Zaouia of Moulay Idriss II, Chouara Tannery, Place R'cif, Place Seffarine. Hicham was amazing and spent 6 hours with us when the tour was only supposed to be 4hrs. He even offered to come back and take us around to finish the tour after our Hammam since we didn't get to finish everything. We then did a massage + Hammam at Palais Amani. There was a tea man there who kept serving us fresh mint tea in the beautiful courtyard it was so lovely. We enjoyed live music with dinner at our riad.

Overall, an extra day in Fez to explore some other Riads would have been nice and also to visit the ceramic cooperative outside the medina which is the ceramic capital of the country

Other things listed in the tour that we didn't get time to go to: Al-Attarine Madrasa, The Blue Gate Bab Boujloud (we went on our own the day before), Quaraouiyine Mosque (entry only for Muslims), Cherratine Madrasa,

Day 4 - Tour Day 1, drive to the Sahara

We had an early start out of Fez to the Sahar through a 3 day, 2 night tour. This day's itinerary was: Fes→Ifrane→Ziz Valley → Merzouga Desert with a camel ride at sunset to get to our desert camp. We stayed in the standard tent option which was fine for me, but my more high maintenance companions were not happy with it so I would say if you are over age 30 and want a private bathroom then book the luxury option however it is double the price when you are really only getting about 5-6 hours of sleep there since you have to wake up at 5:30 for breakfast the next day before the sunrise camel ride.

Day 5 - Tour Day 2, Sahara to Ourzazate

We started our day with a sunrise camel ride which was amazing. Then we went to Todra Canyon and Dades Gorge and then spent the night in Ouarzazate. We had a walking tour with a local guide through Todra Canyon and he took us through the townspeople's garden plots which was really cool to see; they were growing pomegranate, almonds, soy, corn, potatoes, This night everyone was in the same hotel no matter if you booked the standard or luxury option. We got lucky and there was a craft fair going on down the street and got lots of wholesale beauty products.

Day 6 - High Atlas Mountains to Marrakech

We woke up and hit the road, our group decided to skip Atlas Studios, but this is a film studio where lots of movies are shot including Gladiator. Then we went to Ait Ben Haddou, the oldest and largest Kasbah in Morocco and a UNESCO world heritage site. Beautiful views from the top and overall was really nice to walk through. Next, we went to the High Atlas Mountains, beware if you get carsick like me, bring some zofran or try to sleep through all the windy roads. There are stops along the way with beautiful vista points of the atlas and anti-atlas mountains. We were then dropped in Marrakech where we stayed at Riad Zeitoun Palace which was gorgeous and cute and even better than the pictures. We went for lunch at Naranj, a Lebanese restaurant close to our riad, which was great. Then we walked around the souks and the main square Jemaa El-Fna full of juice stands, meat grills, and even snake charmers.

Day 7 - Marrakech

We started our day by having a wonderful fresh breakfast at our riad and then we went shopping in the Souks with the owner of our riad - she really went above and beyond and we spent about 6 hours out with her. Then we went to Medersa Ben Youssef, an old quranic school that had an amazing courtyard and many side small center squares for clusters of dorms with nice plaster and tiling. They even developed a plumbing system using gravity and this place started in the 800s! Incredible! Then we went to The Secret Garden which was a really nice oasis right off a busy street, the restaurant across the alley Cafe Arabe has a nice rooftop as well. The Secret Garden had a really nice first garden with exotic plants and then a second one with a more french style garden. The entry fee was a bit high $10 USD per person to enter. Then we went back to our hotel to, rested on the roof and then had a late dinner at Mandala Society which was mid.

Day 8 - Marrakech

We woke up had a nice breakfast on our riad's roof, then went right around the corner to Palace Bahia which was so impressive. The details everywhere were gorgeous. Then we went to Jardin Marjorelle, the Berber Museum and the YSL Museum. The tickets were pretty pricey at $33USD per person but the Jardin Marjorelle was really lovely and impressive. Then we went back to the hotel, had to buy a suitcase and repack all of the things we bought at the souks. Then we went to dinner at FOLK MARRAKECH which was an absolute highlight of the whole trip. Tuesday through Sundays they have live music and performances starting at 8:30. We arrived at 8pm stayed until 12:30am and only left because we had to leave early for our flight the next morning but I wish we could've stayed for many more hours. There was traditional Berber music followed by a DJ set then a drummer and live band then belly dancers and there were many times that lots of the dinner crowd got up and danced. I had sore feet the next day from dancing so much. I definitely recommend making a reservation ahead of time for 8 or 8:30. There is also happy hour with some good cocktails until 9PM. The food was mid in my opinion but the vibes were immaculate.

I could've spent much more time in Marrakech as there was so much more to do. Here's a list of main Marrakech activities:

Medersa ben Youssef, Souk Semmarine, YSL museum & Jardin Majorelle, Bahia Palace, El Badi Palace (landmark/ruins), Maison de la Photographie - photo history museum of morocco with nice rooftop cafe, Hammam (some fancy options La Mamounia looks amazing, Tarabel, Es Saadi, Riad BE marrakech), Jemaa el-Fna square with lots of food stalls, snake charmers, Musée de confluences (attached to Bacha coffee so get coffee first then go through palace, get to Bacha coffee at 8:30/9AM to get in), The Mellah - jewish qunlarter, Le Jardin Secret, Street food tour

Where to eat in Marrakech:

Coffee at Bacha Coffee (arrive at 9:30AM, go straight to coffee and do the palace tour after), Les jardins du lotus, Pétanque Social Club - nice garden, fusion foods, cocktails, Maison Reine near Bab Doukkala mosque, Plus61 (in the new Gueliz area), Dar Yacout - fixed price menu in nice riad with terrace come very hungry $70pp but cool experience, rly great reviews, Naranj- Lebanese , Nomad - rooftop good for sunset in medina - make res, Amal Centre- very good home cooked, La Famille- vegetarian, Café Clock - camel burgers & date milkshake, Folk Marrakech in very gorgeous space with live music @8:30 (an absolute highlight, GO HERE)

Chefchaouen

Note: We were supposed to go to Chefchaouen but our hotel overbooked us and we ended up going to Fez early instead. However, here is my research for things to do in there. I would recommend going from Tangier since it is only 2 hours instead of 4 hours from Fez.

Things to do in Chefchaouen: The main thing is walking around and taking in the beauty of the blue city. If you have extra time you could do a cooking class at Cafe Clock.

Where to eat in Chefchaouen: Restaurant Bab Ssour (eat on balcony and catch sunset), Restaurant Al Wiam, Casa Hassan, Lala Mesouda, Cafe clock (camel burger), Sofia’s (good veggie tagine), El Kasbah (nice setting)

Tips:

streets with a rectangular border in Fez medina have an outlet to another street, but those with a circular or octagon/hexagon are dead ends

If taking the train between tangier and fez make sure to take the fast train which takes 3 hours and requires a transfer (but for us it was just walking from one side of the platform to the other), there is a slower train that does not require a transfer but takes about 6 hours and not worth it since the transfer is so easy to do

If you go to Cafe Clock in Tangier ask for table 22 on the roof for a great view of the adjacent minaret

Bargain for everything in markets (I would start by offering 30-50% of what they propose) except for dates and produce that have fixed prices labeled

Try to haggle for taxi prices and confirm the price before getting in the car, smaller taxis will cost less and they will be ~20% more at night after 7PM. If there is a taxi stand attendant or a restaurant host that helps you get a taxi then your taxi driver will have to pay them commission if they open the door for you so if you just go to the taxi driver yourself you could save some money

If you go to Fez book a hammam + massage or some sort of hammam experience at Riad Laaroussa.

Lots of places will call themselves a 'cooperative' which traditionally was started for widows to start selling handicrafts and make a living once their husbands died, now many things call themselves cooperatives to dupe everyone

Buying rugs and things at cooperatives and setting up shipping through them is much cheaper than trying to ship things yourself because they get discounts by being 'cooperatives'

You will always be served bread at meals, you don't have to ask for it and it will be free - moroccan custom

Traveling as a woman: you will get lots of stares wherever you walk from men but it felt very safe to me. No need to excessively cover up but you might feel a bit more comfortable if you cover shoulders. I would avoid low cut tops but I had no issues wearing dresses above the knee and short sleeved tops. It was definitely a bit colder than expected in some places, especially the desert so pack a sweatshirt/layers!

Overall Impression:

Morocco was such an amazing country. The people were so warm, there was such a great energy and familiar feeling. I felt very safe there.