Zahoua Raji has never felt as deeply connected to any world as she does to that of her parents, who come from the medina of Casablanca. Before turning to filmmaking, the Brussels native traveled the world with her camera. Whether documenting social realities or fashion, this borderless journey enriched her artistic vision, one that explores lived experiences and imaginations at the crossroads of identity and cultural heritage. With forty-eight selections and eleven awards, the film's success is undeniable. Celebrated globally, «Chikha» by Zahoua Raji and Ayoub Layoussifi exemplifies the universal appeal of cinema. In just twenty-five minutes, this short film communicates a profoundly human story, celebrating a vision of diversity that transcends social and cultural boundaries. This collaborative work showcases the shared creative vision between the actor, filmmaker, and photographer, who steps into the role of director with authenticity and sincerity. Drawing from her eclectic inspirations rooted in her parents' Casablanca medina, the Brussels-born director crafts the universe of this film, shaping the cinematic landscape she aspires to explore. Amidst fragments of memories, this work offers a personal lens on childhood, social constructs, artistic expression, emancipation, and non-linear journeys, weaving together a handcrafted narrative centered on the protagonist, Fatine (Rita Kbiri). The young high school graduate is caught between continuing her mother's legacy as a chikha, a singer and dancer, or conforming to a life dictated by her friend Youssef (Oussama Fal). Chikha, a film by Zahoua Raji and Ayoub LayoussifiChikha, a film by Zahoua Raji and Ayoub Layoussifi An Expression of Dual Culture Behind the lens, Zahoua Raji merges cinema with her passion for visual and popular arts, such as aïta. She describes herself as «a child of television», having grown up watching films from the 1980s and 1990s with her cinephile father. «The transmission occurred through my dual culture. I only envision the seventh art in diversity», she tells Yabiladi. Drawing inspiration from American films starring Dustin Hoffman and Egyptian productions that elevated Fatine Hamama as an icon, the co-director pays homage to these influences in «Chikha», starting with her protagonist's name. Her Moroccan memories are reflected in the strength and humanity of the characters, particularly the female figures who challenge societal judgments. «During my school vacations in the medina, I felt like I was in a social novel by Naguib Mahfouz, while in my Brussels neighborhood, I felt akin to a character from Edouard Louis' books, discussing the precariousness of his childhood village», Zahoua Raji shares. She recalls being deeply impacted by «the mutual aid and kindness of the medina neighborhood, contributing to a certain popular education of communal living, where diverse lifestyles coexist without judgment or exclusion». In Chikha, the popular artist Sanaa Gueddar played her own role, embodying the character of NadiaIn Chikha, the popular artist Sanaa Gueddar played her own role, embodying the character of Nadia These elements are woven into the screenplay co-written by Yamina Zarou and Ayoub Layoussifi. They are also reflected in the film's aesthetic, influenced by the co-director's background in photography, honed at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels. «Beyond the training I didn't complete, Casablanca played a major role in shaping the aesthetic I master today. I am always inspired when I visit Morocco», emphasizes Zahoua Raji. She firmly believes that «cinema can change the world, just like painting, art, and writing that shape mentalities and perspectives». In «Chikha», she aims to offer a nuanced narrative and challenge stereotypes that often associate chikhates with scandalous environments. «I've admired chikhates since my childhood, during the festive atmospheres of summer weddings. I've always wanted to explore this theme. Photography eventually led me to create videos, which I approach as a series of photographs. The film's imagery is influenced by this, especially as I draw from the world of memories». Zahoua Raji An International Echo With a rich background in fiction, documentary, and acting, Ayoub Layoussifi supported the artist in a successful debut. «We started the project in 2020, and it quickly came to fruition. We received support from the Moroccan Cinematographic Center (CCM), Ciné Scène International in Morocco, Hapax Productions in France, and television, with France 2 broadcasting our short film in January 2025», says Zahoua Raji. She takes pride in the accolades received in the United Kingdom, Belgium, France, Italy, Poland, the Netherlands, and Morocco. She appreciates the positive reception from professionals and audiences in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United States, Sweden, Senegal, and beyond. «I am especially touched by the feedback from my fellow citizens, their warm reception in Khouribga, Marrakech, and Zagora where the short film was awarded, and at the 25th National Film Festival in Tangier where it received double honors», Zahoua Raji shares. With the same co-director, she is now embarking on a feature film project.
