Directed by Nabil Ayouch, Ali Zaoua is a 2000 Moroccan movie, which falls under the crime and drama genre. The themes of friendship and loyalty, parental carelessness and fight to realize one’s dreams and goals are the three main themes of this chef-d’oeuvre. The director uses cinematic elements to underscore the aforementioned themes in this the film.
Ali Zaoua outlines the story of four vagabonds, Ali, Boubker, Kwita, and Omar as they roam the streets of Casablanca. Ali’s mother, a prostitute, wanted to sell one of his eyes thus forcing him to seek refuge in the streets. Nevertheless, this tragedy does not kill Ali’s dream of becoming a sailor and a proud owner of a private island lighted by two suns. As a means of survival, the four vagrants form a quartet gang after leaving a larger one, organized and run by Dib.
The splitting of his gang does not please Dib, and as he confronts the newly formed gang, a clash erupts which leaves Ali dead. As a way of honoring their departed acquaintance, the remaining three boys absorb Ali’s aforementioned dreams before arranging for a princely burial ceremony for him by raising the huge amount of money required. Coincidentally, in the process of raising the burial money, the three meet a sailor who had hired Ali to work on his boat.
Ali’s disappearance troubles the sailor but he learns of the fateful death courtesy of the three boys. The boys inform the sailor that they want to burry Ali in a hole, but the sailor has better plans. He decides to burry Ali on a private island, an idea that pleases everyone else. Thereafter, Kwita purchases a costume, dresses the mummy with the help of the rest, and they board a ship to bury Ali’s body at the middle of the sea, on a private island.
The theme of friendship and loyalty stands out conspicuously in Ali Zaoua. As the movie starts, the four homeless kids stick together despite the fact that they know not each other. The chords of love coupled with the spirit of friendship binds them creating a family unit where care and protection for each other rules the day.
As aforementioned, the director of the film employs cinematography to highlight the themes. The shot of the twin towers represents friendship and loyalty. The twin towers underline the identity of the four boys and their relation as twin brothers. The treatment that Ali receives upon his death can only spring from the true spirit of friendship. The fact that the three do not abandon him but choose to serve him even in death depicts how loyal these boys are.
The element of struggling to achieve dreams runs deep in the plot of the movie. Each of the four boys has a dream to accomplish just like Ali who dreams of owning a private island with two suns. Unfortunately, majority of people when faced with adversity abandon their dream and this is also true with the four boys.
The dog character that keeps on struggling to climb the stairs is a cinematographic representation of this bearing theme. Despite numerous failed trials, the dog does not give up until it manages to wrap itself around Kwita’s neck. This struggle underlines Ali’s determination and struggle as he struggles to break from Dib’s gang and pursue his sailing ambitions. Ali does not give up his pursuits until he dies still pursuing a worthy course.
Finally, the theme parental carelessness marks the lives of these vagrants. It is the duty of parents to take care of their children, to provide the basic needs and love necessary for living. Regrettably, the very people who are supposed to care for these kids turn out to be tyrants. For instance, as the story opens up, Ali makes it clear that he ran from home because his mother wanted to sell one of his eyes.
It is ironical that the very people entrusted with the responsibility of caring for the children are the same who become the worst enemies. Talk of the enemy within. Ali’s mother for one she does not respect herself for she is a prostitute. She makes life for Ali so hard that he prefers the streets to their home. The director insinuates that greediness and carelessness are the main ingredients of family feuds, which finally forces innocent children out of their homes into the streets.
In Conclusion, Ali Zaoua: Prince of the Streets is a masterpiece that explores life on Casablanca streets, a story of four kids struggling to survive in an unforgiving environment. The themes of friendship and loyalty, struggle to achieve dreams, and parental carelessness stand out clearly in the film. The film is one of the best movies I have ever watched in my life.
I really liked the use of real street kids, an element that enlivens the movies and connects the audience with the plight of street life. The dog character passes for my favorite cinematic element because of how it relates to Ali’s character. Nevertheless, I cannot figure out what happened to Ali’s body once in the middle of the sea; I do not like such suspense in the film. However, the movie is worth watching and I would recommend others to watch and have a glimpse of what really transpires in this masterpiece by Nabil Ayouch.