Rabat meetings explore role of cinema in human rights

2009-11-17

Professionals in the cinematic arts met in Rabat to explore the ways film contributes to human rights awareness.

By Siham Ali for Magharebia in Rabat – 17/11/09

[rmcdh.ma] Films like Merzak Allouache's "Harragas" provide entertainment while raising awareness of human rights issues.

The Moroccan Human Rights Advisory Council (CCDH) concluded its first-ever film festival on Sunday (November 15th) in Rabat. The event was organised to underline the important role the "seventh art" can play in promoting human rights.

CCDH President Ahmed Herzenni said that the meetings "are aimed at starting a trend in Morocco on the issue of film and human rights and starting a regional cultural trend involving various players such as universities, schools and professionals."

The Rabat organisers screened several films, including a feature by Algerian director Merzak Allouache entitled "Harragas". The film deals with the issue of illegal immigration by telling the story of four young Algerians who try to cross the Mediterranean to reach Spain.

Allouache said that film makes it possible to convey reality to the viewer and thus plays an essential role in efforts to foster a culture of human rights.

According to Noureddine Sail, director-general of the Moroccan Cinematographic Centre, cinema and human rights have a long-standing relationship that is essential. "Film is the best educational tool for making human rights universal," he said.

Moroccan filmmaker Farida Barkia believes that the role of film is not to present preconceived realities but instead to highlight, using various techniques, aesthetic elements that tell a story through descriptions of events that actually happened.

Participants emphasised the need for historical knowledge that relates the past in order to better understand the present and show what the future could be like through film. They called for particular emphasis to be laid on film in university curricula, especially the ways film portrays history.

The consensus among festival participants was that Moroccan film-making is limited at this moment to making historical films about past violations of human rights, several of which have uncovered new historical details. Participants wholeheartedly embraced the effort to promote artistic, historical and human dimensions to film.

Schoolchildren from Khenifra also took part in the event by showing a short film they had made themselves on the subject of human rights violations and the efforts made by Morocco in terms of equality and reconciliation. Artists at the showing and the CCDH all hailed this enterprising film.

The organisers also hosted a tribute to distinguished Arab actor Doureid Lahham for his role in promoting human rights, before showing his latest film, "Al Houddoud" (The Borders). The film follows a man who loses his passport on the border between two fictitious countries, Charkistan and Gharbistan, and chronicles his forced stay on the border. A comedy, the film showcases numerous humorous scenes in which the lead character encounters all sorts of people while grappling with statelessness.