Director Nabil Ayouch and lead actress Loubna Abidar have been charged with producing pornography for the making of the highly controversial movie "Zin Li Fik" (Much Loved). The movie deals with prostitution and the sex industry in Morocco. Both defendants are expected to appear in court on July 15.
"Zin Li Fik" depicts the every day life of four prostitutes working in Marrakech. One of those roles is played by Loubna Abidar, who was heavily criticized for showing her naked butt in the film and has allegedly received death threats over her role.
The Moroccan government banned the movie and the Communication Minister told Al Yaoum24, a Moroccan news website, that the decision to ban the film was "sovereign" and ''this film is attack on the kingdom's image and it undermines the dignity of Moroccan women."
The film caused an uproar within the Moroccan public and was accused of promoting homosexuality, prostitution, human trafficking, sex tourism and exploitation of minors.
"Prostitution is all around us and instead of refusing to see it, we have to understand why women are lead to that difficult situation," Ayouch told Figaro, a French publication.