Moroccan Choreographer, Filmmaker Lahcen Zinoun Passes Away at 79
Several Moroccan artists and public figures mourned Zinoun’s death, as well as celebrated his legacy
He was not on the list.
Rabat - Renowned Moroccan choreographer and filmmaker Lahcen Zinoun passed away at the age of 79 on Tuesday in Casablanca after battling with illness.
Zinoun, who was known for his significant contributions to dance and cinema, succumbed to a cerebral hemorrhage after being urgently admitted to a clinic just four days prior.
Born in September 1944 in Derb Moulay Asharif, Casablanca, Zinoun grew up in a modest family with a father working in the railway industry and a homemaker mother.
Zinoun’s journey into the world of dance began in 1958 when he entered the Conservatory of Casablanca, where he was introduced to modern dance.
Despite earning first prize in dance in 1964 at the conservatory, Zinoun faced challenges when denied a scholarship to study dance abroad, coupled with his father finding out about his passion for dance and kicking him out.
Zinoun later moved to Belgium, inspired by the renowned dancer Maurice Béjart. He eventually immersed himself in the international dance scene, becoming a danseur étoile in the ballet of the Opéra royal de Wallonie.
However, his heart remained tied to Morocco, and in 1973, he returned to contribute to modern dance in his homeland.
His return was also an attempt to reconcile with his father, a moment he described as seeing his father dance and realizing their renewed connection.
Zinoun’s life was explored in the autobiographical work “Forbidden Dream,” which detailed his personal journey and decades spent navigating various artistic realms.
Simultaneously, he advocated for classical dance recognition and defended Moroccan heritage.
Among his notable works are the successful films “Oud Al Ward” and “Tattooed,” which gained acclaim both in Morocco and internationally.
Zinoun’s passing marked the end of a chapter in Moroccan cinema, with several Moroccan artists and public figures mourning his death, as well as celebrating his legacy.
Filmography
Year Title Credited as Notes
Director Choreographer
1982 Les beaux jours
de Shéhérazade No Yes directed
by Mostapha Derkaoui
1988 The Last
Temptation of Christ No Yes directed
by Martin Scorsese
1990 The Sheltering
Sky No Yes directed
by Bernardo Bertolucci
1995 Joseph No Yes directed by Roger Young
1996 L'ombre
du pharaon No Yes directed
by Souheil Ben-Barka
1998 Femmes...
et femmes No Yes directed
by Saâd Chraïbi
2001 Assamt Yes No short film
2002 Piano Yes No short film
2003 Faux pas Yes No short film
2007 Oud l'ward ou
la beauté éparpillée Yes No first
feature film
Co-written with Hicham Lasri and Fatima Loukili
2011 Femme écrite Yes No second feature film
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