|
| |
| Saturday 20th | 11.30pm | Cork Opera House |
|
Ahmed El Maanouni
Morocco | 1981 | 87mins | Beta | Colour | Subtitled
|
|
It is this 1981 portrait of the Moroccan music scene which Martin Scorsese chose as the inaugural film to be restored by the World Cinema Foundation, launched earlier this year in Cannes. ‘It’s been an obsession of mine since 1981,’ said Scorsese.
Nass El Ghiwane is by far Morocco’s most famous group, renowned for its repertoire of protest songs and musical fusion. Formed in 1960’s Casablanca, each member of the band brought an influence from a different
musical tradition. Never before had Gn’awa music from Morocco’s black minority been combined with Chaoui Berber styles, with religious sufi chants and the colloquial sung poetry of Melhun. This radical departure from tradition was matched by lyrics which attacked poverty, corruption and human rights abuses. In newly independent Morocco’s such outspoken criticism was shocking, and the group were suppressed by the government until the mid-70s.
Today Nass El Ghiwane are no less than legendary in their homeland and still perform around the world. Their musical style has been incredibly influential in Morocco, and their irreverent attitude has inspired generations of musicians throughout the Arab world who have more than love songs to sing.
|
|
<<- Add To My Ticket Booking List |
|
|
|
