Morocco breathes new life into its art deco cinemas

Once bustling cultural hubs, Morocco’s movie theatres were central to the country’s social scene during the 1980s. Back then, long lines of eager filmgoers were a common sight, with around 42 million tickets sold annually—excluding those from the black market—according to Al Jazeera.

For young Moroccans, these cinemas held special significance.

“You could escape the watchful eyes of society in the darkness,” recalled Tangier resident Najoua Elhitmi, speaking to Al Jazeera. “It was the perfect place for first dates—and first kisses. It might seem trivial, but cinemas offered a safe haven from Morocco’s more conservative norms.”

However, with the rise of home-viewing technologies in the 1990s, many of these theaters closed their doors or fell into neglect.

Now, Morocco is witnessing a cinematic revival. The Centre Cinematographique Marocain, an institution under the Ministry of Culture, has spearheaded efforts to restore the country’s iconic art deco cinemas. Thanks to this funding, several of these once-abandoned spaces have been refurbished and reintroduced to the public.

The restored venues aim to revitalize Morocco’s film industry while catering to modern audiences. Beyond screening movies, many now host panel discussions, concerts, and film festivals to attract younger generations.

“To compete with streaming platforms and television, cinemas need to offer something unique,” explained Marwane Fachane, executive director of Cinema Renaissance in Rabat, speaking to Al Jazeera. “What cinemas bring is a sense of community.”

Through this revival, Morocco’s historic theatres are once again becoming vibrant cultural spaces, bridging the past and the present for a new generation of movie enthusiasts.