Rabat - Nabil Ayouch's film "Much Loved (Zine li Fik)" about prostitution in Morocco's tourism hub Marrakech has divided the internet into two camps even before it hits movie theaters.
The debate over the film rages on between those who praise the film based on what they claim is an "accurate portrayal of prostitutes' life" and those who criticize it because of its nudity scenes and use of shocking and vulgar language.
Some even worry that the film might encourage sex tourism in the country.
"The film will open the door for people coming from abroad whose main goal is to engage in sexual activity with prostitutes in Morocco," said one commentator online.
Facebook user Souli Armani said: "Unfortunately, the film with the media coverage may help uncover this reality and attract more sexual tourism."
"Nabil Ayouch does not care about the image or the reputation of Morocco. All he cares about is the financial returns. [A] Film like that will not change anything from this phenomenon. It will make the situation worse," Sara Salwa Alami said.
Other social media users criticized the obscene language used in the film, adding that one can't use the excuse of representing reality to represent the phenomenon of prostitution in such manner, and that film just "shows advanced ways" to promote pornography.
"The same movie can be done in a more conservative way, since it's a movie for Moroccans, if I'm not wrong! You don't have to show everything for us to understand or for the language to be so low so we can understand the situation, I watched one clip and I couldn't keep the sound on as almost all the clip was bad words," Salma Ben said.
"I'm a grown-up but still if minors watch it, and trust me they will, what will they learn! And don't tell me he represents reality. Morocco's reality is not summarized in prostitution," she added.
"What disgusts me is that such movies don't fix our community problems as westerns do, instead it's just trying to develop and shows advanced ways to do pornography," another Facebook user Elhkam Redouan commented.
Others, however, argue people are making a fuss out of nothing, and claim that all what the film director is representing the reality."
"I don't understand why we don't accept the truth," Facebook user Naoual Ksiyer said. "I understand reputation and image but it's not like it is a secret […]. He is simply bringing it to the light so maybe change could take place."
"Good Luck, Nabil Ayouch, and bravo for not burying your head in the sand. Wish you all the best, as you face new challenges in the future," Batoul Daoudi Mootassem said.
Nezha Mastouri, another Facebook user, said: "Before judging the movie, look at our Morocco. Judge the economies, our politicians, our education system... The movie is just a mirror, reflecting one problem in Morocco. There are many problems that need brave people to point their finger at.
Nabil Ayouch’s film “Much Loved” was picked to feature in the lineup of the Director’s Fortnight at Cannes Film Festival (AKA la Quinzaine des Réalisateurs).
The director said he interviewed more than 100 prostitutes in Casablanca, Rabat and Tangier, for the making of this film.
Photo courtesy: Much Loved – Zin li fik – de Nabil Ayouch/ Official Facebook Page
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