SYNOPSIS
Shot in Casablanca, Morocco, this documentary captures women¡¯s ordinary lives in the alleyways and apartments of old medina, not magnificent palaces or Ingrid Berman¡¯s fancy cafe in Casablanca. Devoting their entire lives to taking care of their families by cooking and cleaning, these housewives have a dream: getting a washing machine. They help each other, take a bath together, go to the market together, and watch TV at dinner together in this community of Moroccan housewives.
Influenced by her own mother who insisted on giving birth in Morocco though she was living in France at that time, Ennadre¡¯s eyes are always turned toward Moroccan women. Through her extensive contact and camraderie with the women, the director¡¯s sincere, affectionate perspective toward them shines in every moment of the film. The housewives acknowledge that women¡¯s rights are closely related to men¡¯s and attend demonstrations for women¡¯s rights, worried about being excluded by other intelligent women. Living in reality can be easily neglected. This documentary makes plain that these housewives are true feminist activists, raising and discussing women¡¯s matters in everyday life, rather than staying just in the realm of knowledge. (Billy Choi)
PROGRAM NOTE
Shot in Casablanca, Morocco, this documentary captures women¡¯s ordinary lives in the alleyways and apartments of old medina, not magnificent palaces or Ingrid Berman¡¯s fancy cafe in Casablanca. Devoting their entire lives to taking care of their families by cooking and cleaning, these housewives have a dream: getting a washing machine. They help each other, take a bath together, go to the market together, and watch TV at dinner together in this community of Moroccan housewives.
Influenced by her own mother who insisted on giving birth in Morocco though she was living in France at that time, Ennadre¡¯s eyes are always turned toward Moroccan women. Through her extensive contact and camraderie with the women, the director¡¯s sincere, affectionate perspective toward them shines in every moment of the film. The housewives acknowledge that women¡¯s rights are closely related to men¡¯s and attend demonstrations for women¡¯s rights, worried about being excluded by other intelligent women. Living in reality can be easily neglected. This documentary makes plain that these housewives are true feminist activists, raising and discussing women¡¯s matters in everyday life, rather than staying just in the realm of knowledge. (Billy Choi)