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Film kiss sparks outrage and legal action in Morocco over public decency concerns
A kiss between two foreign actors, filmed at the iconic Place du 9 Avril in Tangier, has ignited a heated debate in Morocco, leading to a formal legal complaint and sparking a national conversation about public morality, artistic expression, and the nation’s cultural identity.
A controversial scene in a symbolic location
The scene, part of a film shoot, shows the actors engaged in a prolonged kiss. Captured on video and widely circulated online, the footage has caused public uproar, with many viewing it as a breach of public decency in a space that holds cultural and national significance for Moroccans.
While critics have decried the act as offensive, some voices have defended it, arguing that it represents artistic freedom and creative expression. The controversy highlights the ongoing tension between traditional values and the boundaries of artistic liberty in Morocco.
Legal complaint filed
On June 26, the Center for the Protection of Social Rights and Development Strategies submitted an official complaint to the General Prosecutor in Rabat. The organization condemned the kiss as an attack on moral values and a violation of Moroccan law, citing Article 483 of the Penal Code, which criminalizes “indecent acts or gestures committed publicly.”
The group’s complaint extended beyond the actors, implicating the Moroccan Cinematographic Centre (CCM) for approving the script, the production company and its technical team, and the Tangier municipality for alleged negligence in supervising public spaces during filming.
The organization also raised broader concerns, accusing unnamed parties of orchestrating “digital defamation campaigns” intended to harm Morocco’s international reputation.
Calls for accountability
The Center urged authorities to launch a full investigation and enforce firm legal consequences against all parties involved. It also addressed letters to the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Youth, and the National Human Rights Council, warning against what it described as the normalization of immoral behavior that threatens Morocco’s social fabric.
The organization emphasized that symbolic and highly frequented locations such as Place du 9 Avril should be protected from acts that could undermine public decency.
Legal and cultural implications
Under Moroccan law, public displays of affection, including kissing, are considered acts of public indecency and can lead to fines or imprisonment. The cultural and legal framework reflects the country’s emphasis on maintaining moral and social norms, particularly in spaces tied to its heritage.
This incident has reignited debate over the balance between respecting Morocco’s traditional values and embracing artistic expression, a conversation that continues to divide public opinion.