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Casablanca Beats
Directed by Nabil Ayouch
Director Nabil Ayouch (Razzia, Horses of God) drew on his own experience opening a youth cultural center in Casablanca for this story of a former rapper named Anas who takes a job teaching hip hop in an underprivileged neighborhood. Despite differences in identity, religion, and politics, Anas encourages his students to bond together and break free from the weight of restrictive traditions in order to follow their passion and express themselves through the arts. Featuring a dynamic ensemble of first-time actors, many of them students of the real-life cultural center where the film was shot, Casablanca Beats is a vibrant and inspiring coming-of-age hip hop musical with a decidedly feminist edge. Mixing intimate yet high stakes drama with infectious musical sequences, the film transports audiences to a lively and contemporary Casablanca, far from the clichés about the Arab world. Morocco’s official submission to the 94th Academy Awards® offers a refreshing dose of youthful inspiration alongside a powerful message about the liberating power of self-expression.
Reviews More Reviews
“Nabil Ayouch’s exuberant musical declares that... hip-hop isn't dead; it’s just been hiding in Morocco.”
“Energetic and hopeful. Communicates the creative excitement of hip-hop [and] infects the audience with its passion and the unshakable belief that a person who has self-confidence and self-expression can really change society.”
“The film has the power to engage and amuse, and it also delivers a factor that’s in short supply in this year’s Cannes competition entries: joy.”
“Could be a rallying cry for any youth activism group, anywhere in the world. It’s hard to argue when the results are this energetic, this empowering and this irresistibly youthful.”
“Defiant, uninhibited and full of attitude. Hip hop and rap music infuse every aspect of Nabil Ayouch’s vibrant musical… this is a film which celebrates empowerment and the exhilarating release of finding a voice and being heard."
“A spiky, politically energized drama.”
"An excellent tale that is both a love affair with hip hop and a look at how the Moroccan youth is challenging orthodox views in the digital age.”
Awards & Festivals
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Press & Exhibitors
Below please find additional information and promotional materials for this film. Use the buttons on the left to request to book this film for theatrical or educational/community screenings.
For all press requests, please contact us at [email protected].
Technical Info
- Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1
- Color: Color
Press & Promotion:
playdates
| Venue | City | State | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Cinematheque | Los Angeles | CA | 1667275200November 1 - November 4, 2022 |
| Belcourt Theatre | Nashville | TN | 1665720000October 14 - October 28, 2022 |
| Cleveland Cinematheque | Cleveland | OH | 1665115200October 7 - December 2, 2022 |
| Dairy Arts Center | Boulder | CO | 1670475600December 8 - December 11, 2022 |
| Detroit Institute of Arts | Detroit | MI | 1669352400November 25 - November 28, 2022 |
| Grand Cinema | Tacoma | WA | 1665720000October 14 - October 15, 2022 |
| Guild Cinema | Albuquerque | NM | 1664510400September 30 - October 5, 2022 |
| IFC Center | New York | NY | 1663300800September 16 - October 7, 2022 |
| Laemmle Theatres | Los Angeles | CA | 1663905600September 23 - October 21, 2022 |
| Lake Worth Playhouse | Lake Worth | FL | 1666324800October 21 - October 28, 2022 |
| Lumiere Cinema | Los Angeles | CA | 1664510400September 30 - October 15, 2022 |
| Palm Theatre | San Luis Obispo | CA | 1665720000October 14 - October 28, 2022 |
| Railroad Square Cinema | Waterville | ME | 1663905600September 23 - October 14, 2022 |
| Rose Theatre | Port Townsend | WA | 1664510400September 30 - October 14, 2022 |
| Sag Harbor Cinema | Sag Harbor | NY | 1665720000October 14 - October 22, 2022 |
| The Nightlight Cinema | Akron | OH | 1666324800October 21 - November 4, 2022 |
| Zeitgeist Theatre | Arabi | LA | 1664510400September 30 - October 21, 2022 |