In 1978, the Moroccan film 'Alyam Alyam' (The Days) made history by becoming the first Moroccan feature film selected for the Cannes Film Festival. Directed by Ahmed El Maanouni, the film was screened in the Directors' Fortnight section.
'Alyam Alyam' tells the story of a young man from the countryside who moves to the city of Casablanca, exploring themes of rural exodus and cultural change in post-colonial Morocco. The film was praised for its poetic realism and authentic portrayal of Moroccan society.
The selection marked a milestone for Moroccan cinema, opening doors for future Moroccan filmmakers on the international stage. Ahmed El Maanouni later gained further recognition for his documentary 'Trances' (1981), which was restored by Martin Scorsese's World Cinema Project.
