Much Loved

MUCH LOVED tells the story of Noah, Randa, Soukaina and Hlima, four prostitutes in Marrakesh.  They seem to live a life of luxury with lots of money, drugs and alcohol, but the filmmaker Nabil Ayouch subtly shows that they are modern slaves, even though they are their own bosses. The hypocrisy of just about everyone involved -clients, family, police, ...- is also well portrayed. Everyone closes their eyes to the phenomenon or even profit from it, but publicly condemn it. The only one who does not judge is the stoic taxi driver who takes them to yet another nightclub.
With a mobile camera and numerous close-ups, Ayouch expresses the rush and excitement, but just as well the solitude and the frustrated expectations. The emphasis is on the solidarity among the women. Ayouch doesn't intend to excite the viewer, but penetrates into the soul of his characters.

MUCH LOVED was screened at the Cannes Film Festival 2015. Shortly thereafter controversy rose in certain conservative circles in Morocco and the film was banned.