MOMA ‘Global Lens’ Focuses on Moroccan film ‘PEGASE’ (2010).

‘Global Lens’, 2012 is a selection of ten films which screened at New York’s Museum of Modern Art gallery (MoMA) from January 12–28 as part of an effort between MoMA and The Global Film Initiative (GFI) to raise international awareness to developing cultures of cinema from politically and economically challenged countries.

One of these films was ‘PEGASE’ (Morocco, 2010), the FESPACO (Pan-African Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou) award winner for Best Film in 2011. ‘PEGASE’ screened to a full house in NY both on Saturday January 21 and Sunday January 26, 2012.

‘PEGASE’ by director Mohamed Mouftakir is a poetic tribute to the nation’s collective will for change beset by deeply engrained tradition, of love for all that is bitter yet sweet in the much beloved Morocco, and an exemplary for high lyrical symbolism.

The film is about Rihanna, a young girl in her 20s who is the victim of a psychological disorder due to a traumatic past. She is pregnant by Zayd, a young man from her village. Rihanna is convinced that her pregnancy is an act of her god, the ‘Lord of the Horse’, who is a spirit of ‘The Father’, her father. Psychologist Dr. Zineb tries to get to the bottom of Rihanna's neurosis, which proves a dark and mysterious journey.
‘PEGASE’ is a psychological thriller with magical realism elements, of Lynchian (David Lynch) flavor in its depth and surrealism, which feels more like a moving representational painting that begs to be considered, studied and discussed.

The GFI Director of Programs, Santhosh Daniel, said this about the film: "Pegasus is an unusually powerful film by a director that exemplifies the creative force and vision of Global Lens--it deserves to be seen."

When I asked the film’s producer, Fred Challa, how he felt about having the film screened in one of the most reputable modern art museums in North America, he replied: “Pegasus being projected in MoMA means to world to us, being featured at the most influential museum of modern art in the world is the most precious
event in our lifetime. We are overwhelmed over this incredible selection and
pray that we can make it there some times in the near future.”

Further, the award-winning actor Anas El Baz (who plays ‘Zayd’) stated: “It's a big honor for us to be selected in MoMA. It's a great reward for the team of ‘PEGASUS’ and a big pride for Moroccan cinema in general.”

Written by Vanessa McMahon January 28, 2012

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