Women’s Wiles (Morocco: 1999)

Director

Farida Benlyazid

Cast list

Samia Akarriou
Rachid El Ouali
Abderrahim Bayga
Amina Alaoui
Hammadi Amor
Mohamed Razine
Amina Rachid
Abdelhebia Chedati
Saâdia Azgoune

Synopsis

In this film Farida Benlyazid puts a feminist spin on a prominent Andalusian tale. A spoiled merchant’s daughter attracts the attention of a prince. The prince is a very arrogant patriarch and believes that he is far superior to his new lover. In response to his arrogance the protagonist embarrasses him by shaving his beard while he slept. In an attempt to seek revenge the prince marries the protagonist and tries to imprison her in his cellar. The protagonist outwits him and escapes, proving that she is in fact more intelligent. Overall this is an anti-patriarchal tale designed to expose the tyrannical flaws that make up the institution of patriarchy.

Reviews

Deborah Young, Review: Women’s Wiles, Variety Magazine

Valerie K. Orlando, Screening Morocco: Contemporary Film in a Changing Society, 

Women’s Wiles (1999), Mubi.com

Academic Articles:

Martin, Florence. “Farida Benlyazid and Juanita Narboni: Two Women from Tangier”. Black Camera1 (2014): 124–138. Web…

“Overture: Maghrebi Women’s Transvergent Cinema”. “Overture: Maghrebi Women’s Transvergent Cinema”. Screens and Veils: Maghrebi Women’s Cinema. Indiana University Press, 2011. 1–40. Web…

Letort, Delphine. “Introduction: Postcolonial Migration Stories on Screen”. Black Camera1 (2014): 92–95. Web…

Other movies from Morocco made in

Title Country Year Director More infos
Women’s Wiles Morocco 1999 Farida Benlyazid
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