The Moroccan film Hobb Bila Visa (Love without Visa) by Naguib Al Safriwi which tackles the transmission of AIDS and drug taking among the Moroccan youth, has provoked extensive debate in Morocco, according to the London based Arabic daily Al Sharq Al Awsat.
The film which was screened for the first time at the official contest of the sixth Moroccan film festival held in Morocco during the period between January 27 and February 3 this year, is currently screened at the Moroccan theaters.
After being screened, the film aroused a storm of criticism due to the reportedly exciting way it tackled the topic. But the director blasted all those who criticized the film accusing their action as conspiracy by the Moroccan cinema makers against him. He said that he was unable to screen his film at the screening venues, which had been booked ahead, all the year long for screening films by other directors.
“The film producers and distributors issued a statement claiming that the film version screened at the festival was bad as far as the sound and picture are concerned,” the paper said adding that these were subjected to deliberate distortion for the purpose of harming the film commercially and defaming the director.
Taking the leading parts in the film were Mohammed Merzawi, Abdel Qader Lutfi, Nofal Al Hafi, Wafaa Abrag and Wahibah Bu Ali. The Film Production Enhancement Committee donated the sum of 20,000 dollars in support for the film, which constituted 50 percent of the financial aid allocated for that purpose -- Albawaba.com
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