Film Africa Festival: 'Chikha' Short Film Screened in London

The screening introduced London film buffs to the popular musical art of Aïta through the story of Fatine, a 17-year-old girl who lives in Azemmour with her mother, a Chikha, and her grandfather. The impeccable acting plunged viewers into 90s Morocco, where Fatine is torn between perpetuating the family artistic tradition or leading a more settled life after graduating from high school.

The original idea for the film came from co-director Zahoua Raji, “with her, we wanted to pay tribute to the Chikhates, who have always fascinated us with their strength of character,” Ayoub Layoussifi told MAP.

“In addition to being a story of love, it’s also the story of strong women who are part of our heritage and who are today appreciated for their true value,” notably for their contribution to the resistance, he added, specifying that the shooting took place between Azemmour and Dar Bouazza.

For her part, Rita Kribi, who played the lead role, spoke of the ease with which she was able to take on the character of Fatine, being herself a singer and immensely proud of her country and its culture.

Kribi also expressed her emotion about the first screening of the film, all the more so as it was her first experience as an actress, and said she was “proud to have been able to present the cultural heritage of the Chikha in such a beautiful frame.”

A Q&A session then allowed the director to explain his artistic approach while stressing the importance of the research carried out before the start of writing so as to convey an authentic image of Moroccan society and the Chikhates, who ensured the oral transmission of their art. The “Film Africa” organizers have decided to select “Chikha” as one of the contenders for the “Baobab” prize for best short film, which will be awarded at the end of the event.

Seven Moroccan films, including features and shorts, are featured among the African productions at the festival, which is organized by the Royal African Society, an association founded over 100 years ago to promote dialogue between the UK and the African continent.