Casablanca: A new documentary film documents the journey of musician Jouck El Malih.
The Anfa Cultural Complex in Casablanca hosted the premiere of the new documentary by director Hassan Benjelloun titled “Jouck, The Last of the Mellah,” as part of the “pre-opening screening.” The film will later be shown in the city’s “Eden Club” and “Ritz” cinemas.
Hassan Benjelloun wrote and directed the film, while Ali Benjelloun handled the cinematography, Sofiane Harqi supervised the sound, and Fatima Ben Brahim was responsible for editing. The musical figure of the film is Jouck El Malih, who also contributed to the film’s music, produced by “Bantaquerla.”
The film showcases the journey of El Malih, known as the “White Gnawi” or “The Band,” who was born in 1944 and grew up in Casablanca amidst a Jewish, Amazigh, Muslim, and Christian culture. He was exposed to world music, particularly jazz and rock, alongside traditional Moroccan rhythms that shaped his musical consciousness.
Jouck El Malih is considered the first creator of “Daqa-Jazz” and one of the foremost musical fusion artists on the global scene. His artistic career, spanning over six decades, includes performance, composition, and singing, and he has shared his musical vision at international universities, including the Sorbonne in France.
El Malih’s musical path led him from Casablanca to Spain, France, and other countries. He was a member of various musical groups both within Morocco and abroad, released solo and collaborative albums, and held multiple artistic roles, including the artistic direction of the “Jazz in Chellah” Moroccan-European festival in the capital, Rabat.
