taxicasablanca

Taxi Casablanca

Year 2009
Runtime 68 mins
Language French, Arabic
Subtitles Arabic, French

Director Mary Fowles in attendance - Q&A will follow the screening

French and Arabic with English subtitles

PG

Zakia Mezzour is the first and only woman driver of Morocco’s speedy white taxi, a 1970s Mercedes that is known as the “white shark” of the road. TAXI CASABLANCA is an intimate portrait of a modern-day pioneer forging her way in a man’s job, and is a glimpse into a fascinating Muslim society struggling with progress and old traditions. As we ride along with Zakia, we meet many of her clients and family members. In sharing their ideas, dreams and hopes, they shed light on the situation of women in Morocco and the issues that come into play: religion and cultural beliefs, poverty and education, modernization (this is not the Casablanca of Ilsa Lund, Rick Blaine and Captain Renault) and traditionalism. Along the way, we get to know Zakia as she tries to find freedom through her life and work as a female taxi driver, challenging the status quo as she transports city locals to all corners of Casablanca.

JC

 

Please note: this is a FREE screening. Seats are subject to capacity.

Countries

Canada Morocco
Festivals
Salt Spring Documentary Film Festival
Director
Mary Fowles, Hind Benchekroun
Executive Producer
Mary Fowles
Producer
Mary Fowles
Screenwriter
Mary Fowles, Hind Benchekroun
Cinematographer
Sami Mermer
Editor
Joseph Bohbot
Cast
Zakia Mezzour