Morocco: King Mohammed VI’s condolences to the family of Ismaïl

The King of Morocco, Mohammed VI, has just sent a new message of condolences and compassion to the family of the late Moroccan director and scriptwriter Mohamed Ismaïl, who died on 20 March 2021 at the age of 69.

In this message, King Mohammed VI said he learned with great sorrow the news of the death of Mohamed Ismaïl, which occurred on Saturday evening in Casablanca, at the age of 69, following a long illness. On this painful occasion, the King expresses to the family members of the deceased and, through them, to all his relatives and friends, his deep condolences and sincere feelings of compassion, following the loss of one of the pioneers of film production.

With the death of Mohamed Ismaïl, the 7th art in Morocco has certainly lost one of its figures who contributed, through their creative works, to the promotion of film production and the influence of art and culture at national and international levels. The Sovereign implores the Most High to grant the family of the late Mohamed Ismaïl patience and comfort, to reward him amply for his acknowledged national artistic contribution and to welcome him into His paradise among the virtuous.

Born in 1951 in Tetouan, Morocco, Mohamed Ismaïl produced and directed numerous films, series, plays and variety shows since he joined Moroccan National Television in 1974. During his career, he has directed a dozen works, including the TV films « Pourquoi pas » (2005) and « Allal al Kalda » (2003), as well as « Awlad Lablad » produced in 2009, « Adieu mères » (2007) and « Aouchtam » (1996).

Some of these works have won awards in several international festivals. Mohamed Ismail won the « Best Screenplay » award at the Brussels Independent Film Festival in Belgium for his film « Ici et là », the Golden Star for Best TV Film for « Allal al Kalda » and the Director’s Award and Grand Prize at the International Arab Television Festival in Cairo, Egypt.