Marrakech — A new documentary, “Je t’aime moi non plus: France-Maroc, “directed by Benoît Bringer, has sparked a debate across French media by delving into the complex and tumultuous relationship between France and Morocco. The film, which aired on France 5, explores over a century of ties between the two nations, using the metaphor of a couple to frame their relationship. Bringer told Marianne magazine that this approach helps avoid a simplistic narrative, emphasizing the multifaceted interdependence between the two countries, which encompasses both political and human elements.
The documentary features testimonials from prominent Franco — Moroccan figures, including novelist Leïla Slimani, former minister Najat Vallaud-Belkacem, poet Abdellatif Laâbi, and former presidents Nicolas Sarkozy and François Hollande. Writer Tahar Ben Jelloun and former diplomat Élisabeth Guigou also contribute to the narrative. The film begins with the 2022 World Cup semi-final between France and Morocco, capturing the emotional tension through the eyes of comedian Jamel Debbouze, who described the match as a symbolic milestone, the first time both countries competed as equals on the world stage.
The documentary then travels back to 1912 and the Treaty of Fez, which established the French protectorate over Morocco. Producer Jean-Louis Pérez challenges any romanticized view of that era, highlighting the brutal suppression of the Rif War between 1921 and 1926 as evidence of the ongoing colonization. Pérez also questions the portrayal of Marshal Lyautey, France’s first resident-general, as a “respectful administrator, “noting his nostalgia for the French monarchy and his commitment to preserving royal authority.
The film also addresses the experience of Moroccan workers who contributed to the construction of modern France, often living in deplorable conditions. Moroccan-French journalist Nesrine Slaoui recounts how recruiters would assess candidates based on their physical strength. Pérez underscores the human rights narrative surrounding King Hassan II’s reign from 1961 to 1999, arguing that France ignored human rights abuses in exchange for maintaining its interests with Rabat.
Laâbi, who spent eight years in prison, labels French complacency during that period “immoral.”Bringer’s documentary also includes rare footage from inside one of Hassan II’s secret prisons at Kelâat M’Gouna, noting the lack of memorials or plaques to mark the suffering that took place there. The film also delves into the uncomfortable subjects of French diplomacy, such as the Legion of Honor awarded to Morocco’s security chief Abdellatif Hammouchi, who had been accused of torture.
This episode highlights the deeper contradiction in French politics, as Paris relies heavily on Moroccan intelligence for counterterrorism operations, yet faces legal challenges from NGOs.
The documentary revisits the 2021 Pegasus affair, in which Morocco has consistently denied any involvement in surveillance allegations. The fallout from this incident led to a severing of relations between France and Morocco for two years. Ben Jelloun revealed that he helped mediate the reconciliation, which included France’s recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over its southern provinces in 2024. Pérez views the Pegasus affair as definitive proof that France cannot afford to anger Morocco.
The film concludes with a royal reconciliation dinner attended by various notable figures, including Slimani, Debbouze, Rachida Dati, Bernard — Henri Lévy, and footballer Achraf Hakimi. Laâbi, however, is notably absent, expressing that it was “not his thing.”Accompanying the documentary is another film, “Mohammed V, Father of Moroccan Independence, “both of which are available on France. Tv.
