Rabat – Moroccan actress Nisrin Erradi has won the “Artistic Expression” award at the 30th MedFilm Festival in Rome for her role in the film “Everybody Loves Touda,” directed by Nabil Ayouch.
She collected the award on Wednesday at a ceremony that saw the attendance of notable figures from the worlds of cinema, arts, culture, diplomacy, and media.
This marks Erradi’s second award for her role as Touda, following her win for Best Actress at the Festival 2 Cinéma de Valenciennes in France earlier this year.
The movie follows the story of Touda, a woman with a passion for becoming a “Cheikha,” a traditional Moroccan performer of Aita, who signs about resistance, love, liberation, and societal issues without censorship.
Touda sings in local bars each night, facing the gaze and judgment of men in her small town, but she dreams of a brighter future for herself and her son.
After enduring mistreatment and humiliation, she reaches a breaking point and decides to leave everything behind and move to Casablanca in search of freedom and the hope of a better life.
Read also: Nisrin Erradi Sparks Outrage for Role in Controversial Saudi Series
The film explores her journey of resilience, her struggles against societal constraints, and her determination to pursue her dreams.
Speaking to MAP, Morocco’s news agency, Erradi expressed pride in this recognition, calling it a shared achievement with the film’s “wonderful and dedicated” team, who worked tirelessly to bring Touda’s voice and Morocco’s traditional art of Aita to global audiences.
Reflecting on her journey in portraying Touda, Erradi said the role required intense preparation, spanning over a year and a half. “It was a year and a half of preparation with great artists, especially the late Khadija El Bidaouia, who helped me understand the art of Aita and bring their voices to the world,” she explained.
Erradi is known for taking on bold and challenging roles that often address taboo topics in Moroccan society, with her choice of characters frequently sparking controversy.
