Veiled Love – The Moroccan Movie That’s Making Waves
Veiled Love, or Hijab el Hob is a cinematic love story that’s causing waves in Morocco, the country where its set, and birthplace of its director, Aziz Salamy.
The film (known as Amours Voilees in French), tells the story of Batoul, a young female Moroccan medical student from a good, yet traditional family, who decides to have a sexual relationship with her boyfriend, Hamza.
Pre-marital intimacy is still largely taboo in Morocco, and the film, which came out in January this year has stirred up controversy as it depicts the couple kissing and having a bath together. Critics claim that the enflaming element is the fact that Batoul wears a hijab…
Overcome By Passion?
Batoul’s passionate love for Hamza leads her to break all the rules about chastity she herself once preached. It raises the interesting question of what happens when heart overrules head and whether or not it is wrong or simply natural.
Morocco’s Islamic leaders are outraged and consider the film an attack on the faith, but whilst it isn’t subtle, I feel this love story depicted between Batoul and Hamza is necessary revelation of some of the trials and conflicts facing young couples of our faith today.
A Delicate Debate
There’s a great article in Observers France 24, which also shows the movie trailer. A debate is sparked by one young (male) Moroccan’s brave commentary. He points out that a woman who has pre-marital sex is labelled in his country, but that the fact the hijab is featured is what is fuelling the fires.
“It doesn’t bother people if a woman doesn’t wear the hijab. But the veil is a religious symbol – it conjures up deeper meanings. That’s why the film is considered an attack on Islam.” – He says.
Beneath this candid comment, you’ll find ten responses: some criticizing, others defending the film, but all, in my opinion, strong indicators that Amours Voilees transmits a very relevant and complex issue.
Love and Faith: An Effective Recipe
Putting physical intimacy and Islam on the same screen was both a brazen and brave decision by Aziz Salamy. The director clearly wanted his film to generate discussion and get everyone talking, and that it certainly has.
Veiled Love’s official website (in French) can be found here.
