TriBeCa hosts first Moroccan film festival in the US

 If you're in the NY area later this month, head out to the first-ever (really?) Moroccan film festival in the US held at the Tribeca Cinema on Oct. 29 & 30. Some old, some new, some good, some great, (at least one bad) and all by Moroccan directors, with the notable exception of the documentary I Heart Hip Hop in Morocco (a must-see). Plus, each film is accompanied by a short from up-and-coming young students from the film school in Marrakesh, L’Ecole Supérieur des Arts Visuels.

Procceds from the Opening Night Charity Benefit and Festival goes to a good cause, the High Atlas Foundation (started by former Peace Corps volunteers) that supports development projects in rural Morocco.


 If I may permit myself to wander into Robert Ebert territory, here's the film lineup (more info here):

Oct. 29
Burned Hearts (Les Coeurs Brulés) (2009) Dir. Ahmed El Maanouni 
Moussem Dir. Izza Génini (highly recommended, she makes great documentaries)

Oct. 30

Looking for My Wife’s Husband (1995) Dir. Abderraham Tazi (hilarious premise; old but good) 
I Love Hip Hop in Morocco (2007) Dir. Josh Asen & Jennifer Needleman
The Dog’s Life of Juanita Narboni (2005) Dir. Farida Benlyazid
La Grande Villa (2002) Dir. Latif Lahlou 
In Pieces  (2009) Dir. Hakim Belabbes
Where Are You Going, Moishe? (2007) Dir. Hassan Ben Jalloun

Tenja (Testament) (2004) Dir. Hassan Legzouli

Casanegra (2009) Dir. Nour-Eddine  Lakhmari

Marock (2006) Dir. Laila Marrakchi (this one was a hit a few years back)