Rabat – The Moroccan Cinema Center (MCC) has selected Maryam Touzani’s directorial feature debut, Adam, to represent Morocco at the prestigious Oscar Awards. The film has been entered into for preselection in the category of Best International Feature Film.
Although Morocco has not had great success in the Oscars so far and a Moroccan movie has not passed the shortlist stage since 1977, Adam has received wide critical acclaim since it entered the festival circuit making supporters hopeful.
The movie, which will make its debut in theatres in January 2020, spotlighted the controversial topic of unwed mothers in Morocco. The story was inspired by a pregnant woman who was going door-to-door asking for work in Touzani’s hometown of Tangier.
“In a country like mine, it’s the biggest shame for a woman to have a child out of wedlock,” said Touzani. “She doesn’t want to disappoint her parents so she cannot tell the truth.”
Touzani also explained her reasoning behind featuring taboo topics: “There is a facade that everything is all right on the outside even if people are tormented inside. It is good to let in some air and light, and people are relieved and happy things are being spoken about.”
Whether Adam proceeds to the next stage or not, Touzani will be at the Oscars. Touzani recently joined the Oscar’s Academy, in the “Screenwriters” category. As part of the role, she will be responsible for selecting the nominees and winners in the category for the upcoming Academy Awards.
She is joined by three other Moroccans already in the Academy, actor Saïd Taghmaoui, director Nabil Ayouch, and producer Khadija Alami.
Read also: Brice El Glaoui Bexter: Morocco’s Rising Star Discusses Film Industry, His Career
