Camera/Woman

Marriage and divorce through the lens

Directed by Karima Zoubir

Moroccan divorcee Khadija works as a camerawoman at weddings in Casablanca. Her mother and brother strongly disagree with her choice of occupation and want her to quit. They’re already ashamed enough that Khadija, the mother of an 11-year old son, is living back at home. But Khadija is the breadwinner in the family and she won’t back down

Khadija is sometimes out for several days in a row at parties and weddings, working until the early morning. Although a working woman is taboo in the conservative section of Moroccan society, the demand for female camera operators is big, because families prefer having a woman film their daughters at their wedding. The fairytale world of the average wedding party is a sharp contrast to the reality of divorces and forced marriages. But traditional values are under pressure even in Morocco, with women like Khadija demanding freedom and independence, while also wanting to honour the wishes of their families. Together with her best friend Bouchra, also a divorcee, Khadija talks candidly about the other side of marriage. Alternately joyful and sad, the women wonder aloud why they’re still not equal to men.

Camera/Woman was awarded a £5,000 grant for the International Documentary Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) and WorldView Award.

See an interview with the director

Screening

Camera/Woman screened at DocHouse, London on 12 September 2013. More information

Award

Winner Human Rights Award, Fidadoc 2013, Agadir, Morocco
Winner Ulysses Award for Best Documentary, Cinemed 2013, Montpellier, France

Testimonial

My editor and I will benefit a lot of our participation at IDFA Academy summer school and this wouldn’t be possible without the partnership with IDFA and Worldview. I didn’t have any support for post-production costs but thanks to this award I will be able to pay part of the costs and hopefully to finish my film in time for IDFA Karima Zoubir, director